Lisandro Martinez was given the backing from travelling Manchester United with chants in the 1-1 draw at Leeds.
He retained his place in Michael Carrick’s starting line-up just days after publicly criticising the club’s hierarchy.
Martinez looked comfortable in a three-man backline with wing-backs before going off injured at halftime.
The Argentina international was involved in a major talking point following United’s 2-0 Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid last Tuesday, when he questioned the club’s summer transfer business and demanded greater ambition from those in charge.
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But there appeared to be little sign of a backlash from the travelling supporters at Elland Road on Sunday, with Martinez greeted by chants of “Argentina, Argentina, Argentina” after some assured early defensive work.
The 28-year-old had met with United’s senior leadership following his comments, including chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox, whom he had specifically challenged over the club’s recruitment.
Martinez subsequently issued a public apology, admitting that the frustration of defeat had led him to express his feelings at the wrong time and in the wrong place.
He also stressed the importance of unity, insisting that everyone at United shared the ambition of bringing success back to the club.
His place in the starting XI against Leeds suggested the episode had not immediately affected his standing with Carrick, while the supporters’ reaction offered a further indication that his remarks had not alienated the away end.
Wilcox was also in attendance at Elland Road, watching from the stands as United took on their bitter rivals.
On the pitch, Martinez delivered an aggressive and committed performance as part of the back three, bringing his trademark intensity to the contest without crossing the line.
The defender’s early contribution was enough to prompt the travelling fans to serenade him, with the chants heard again as the players left the field at half-time.
However, Martinez’s afternoon was cut short after he picked up a knock and was replaced at the interval.
It meant the centre-back again failed to complete a match against Leeds, having been sent off during United’s 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford in April after pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair.
This time, his departure was injury-related rather than disciplinary, but United were unable to finish the job as Carrick’s side were held to a 1-1 draw.
Martinez’s reception was nevertheless a notable moment after the controversy of the previous week.
His original comments had caused a stir because he openly questioned whether United had done enough in the transfer market following their return to the Champions League.
“We did a fantastic season last season and now we expect more from the top, more players to compete because many teams bring many players as well,” he said after the Atletico defeat.
He also made his expectations of Wilcox clear, stating: “I expect more [investment]. 100%. I expect more from our technical director.”
The defender later clarified that his words came from anger and frustration, before going a step further with an apology after meeting the club’s leadership.
At Elland Road, the response from United supporters suggested that Martinez’s commitment to the cause remains appreciated, even as his comments exposed tensions over the club’s ambitions.
With the Leeds draw leaving United still searching for consistency, Carrick will hope the focus can now return to results on the pitch — and that Martinez can recover quickly from the knock that forced him off at the break.
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