Manchester United have fined Lisandro Martinez after the defender’s public criticism of the club’s hierarchy, and the player has now issued an apology. On the surface, that draws a line under the matter. In reality, it changes very little about the noise around Old Trafford, or the uncertainty around Martinez himself.

The Argentina international reacted angrily after United’s Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, arguing that Michael Carrick had been left with a squad short on quality and depth. He also said he expected more investment and “more from our technical director [Jason Wilcox]”. Those are not the sort of comments clubs tolerate lightly, particularly when results are already poor.

After discussions with senior figures at Manchester United on Thursday, Martinez moved quickly to repair the damage. In a statement, he said: “Today I met with the club’s leadership and the manager. It was a very positive conversation, where we were able to exchange views and speak openly about what happened after Tuesday’s game. Everyone knows that I am a passionate person and that I live football with great intensity. The frustration of the defeat led me to express how I felt at a time and place that perhaps were not the right ones, and for that I want to apologise.”

That is a sensible climbdown. He also added: “Our club is at its best when we are all united, and I recognise that my words in that moment did not help with that. I know that every single person at Manchester United is doing everything possible to achieve our shared ambition: bringing the success that this club and its supporters deserve. With this situation now behind us, we are fully focused on winning together.”

The timing matters. Carrick heads into Friday’s news conference and Sunday’s trip to Leeds United with his side 13th in the Premier League, having taken six points from six matches and won only two of nine games this season. That is a poor return by any standard, and it gives every internal disagreement more weight.

When a senior player goes public in those circumstances, it exposes more than frustration. It tells you confidence is fragile and patience is wearing thin. Martinez later tried to soften the original comments, saying he had “spoke out of anger and frustration” and that he retained “belief in my team-mates, our manager and everyone working to help this club move forward”. Fine. But the initial message landed because it reflected a wider sense of drift.

There is another issue here, one potentially more important than the fine. Martinez is out of contract at the end of the season, though Manchester United hold an option to extend by 12 months. The club have not yet decided whether to trigger it.

That means the apology closes one disciplinary matter, while leaving the bigger football decision untouched. Whether Carrick picks him at Elland Road is one thing. Whether United still see him as part of the medium-term picture is another.