The 28-year-old, who is currently in the final year of his contract, has reportedly been hesitant to commit to an extension. While Manchester United holds an option to trigger a 12-month extension that would keep him at the club until June 2028, both the player and the organization are said to have reservations about continuing their partnership. Reports suggest that should the Argentine international depart, a move to Spain would be his preferred next step.
Disciplinary Action and Contractual Standoff
The tension stems from comments Martinez made to Amazon Prime following the loss in Madrid. Expressing his dissatisfaction with the club’s current direction, he stated that more players are required to remain competitive and openly questioned the performance of the technical director. These remarks reportedly caused friction within the dressing room, with at least one teammate confronting the defender, although other squad members are said to share his frustrations regarding the club's management and recruitment strategy.
The incident occurred in the presence of key club figures, including co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada, and Wilcox himself. Given the public nature of the criticism, it is widely expected that the club will impose a fine, with the matter set to be addressed when the squad reconvenes for training. The club has yet to confirm if Martinez will be available for the upcoming Premier League match against Leeds United.
Negotiations regarding a new deal have been stagnant since the 2022-23 season, when Martinez sought an improved contract following his World Cup success. In an attempt to clarify his position, the defender issued a statement on social media the day after the match, claiming his words were born from frustration at the result rather than an intent to undermine the club. He emphasized his desire to see the team compete for major honours and acknowledged that the players must take collective responsibility for their recent form, which has seen the side go five matches without a win.
