Manchester United defender Lisandro Martínez has criticised the club’s hierarchy following their 2-0 defeat to Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, arguing that the team’s struggles cannot be blamed solely on the manager and players.
The Argentina international called for greater investment in the squad, specifically questioning the club’s recruitment strategy and the support provided by technical director Jason Wilcox.
Martínez made the remarks during a post-match interview after United suffered another disappointing result at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Tuesday night. The defeat extended the club’s winless run to five matches across all competitions, increasing pressure on manager Michael Carrick.
Speaking after the match, Martínez expressed frustration with the team’s performance and the club’s broader situation.
“We expect more from the top, from upstairs, to bring in more players to compete because many teams have brought in many players as well,” he said.
The defender acknowledged that the players also needed to improve but insisted that strengthening the squad was essential if United were to compete consistently against Europe’s leading teams.
“I expect more from our technical director. I have to be honest. And also, as players, we have to do more,” Martínez added.
His comments followed a difficult evening for United in Madrid, where Atlético took the lead inside the opening minute through Pablo Barrios. The Spanish midfielder capitalised on the hosts’ early attacking momentum to put United under immediate pressure.
United attempted to recover from the early setback but struggled to establish control against Atlético’s organised defence. The visitors’ task became more difficult when defender Leny Yoro was sent off, leaving them with 10 men.
Atlético took advantage of their numerical superiority in the second half, with Ademola Lookman scoring in the 79th minute to secure the victory.
The result intensified scrutiny of United’s performances and recruitment following their return to the Champions League. Martínez argued that the club needed to build on the previous season rather than assume the same approach would remain effective against increasingly competitive opponents.
He also questioned the repeated focus on managerial changes whenever results deteriorate.
“You start changing, changing, changing managers. But what about other areas?” the defender said, gesturing towards the club’s leadership before declining to elaborate further.
Martínez’s remarks appeared to direct attention towards the decision-makers responsible for recruitment and the overall direction of the club. His comments come amid ongoing debate over whether United strengthened sufficiently during the summer transfer window.
The club invested in midfield additions, but questions have persisted about other areas of the squad, particularly the need for further attacking options and defensive depth.
However, Martínez did not absolve the players of responsibility. He admitted that United’s performance on the pitch also needed improvement, while arguing that a stronger squad would provide a better foundation for competing in demanding European fixtures.
The defender’s comments prompted criticism from former United captain Wayne Rooney, who described the public intervention as inappropriate and potentially damaging to the dressing room.
Rooney acknowledged that Martínez had raised questions about the club’s investment but argued that such concerns should be discussed internally rather than aired immediately after a defeat.
He also questioned whether Martínez’s own performances justified his criticism of the wider squad, saying the defender had not consistently reached the required standard.
Rooney’s reaction highlighted the division between calls for greater accountability at board level and concerns that public criticism could undermine unity among players during a difficult period.
Carrick was also asked about Martínez’s comments after the match. The United manager said he had not watched the full interview and suggested that the defender’s remarks might have been influenced by the emotions of the defeat.
“I think it’s a little bit on the emotions of the game as well,” Carrick said, adding that he needed to understand the situation better before deciding whether further action was necessary.
He emphasised the importance of moving forward quickly and maintaining focus on the team’s upcoming fixtures.
For United, the defeat has increased pressure to improve results and address concerns about the balance of the squad. Their return to European competition had raised expectations, but the latest setback has renewed questions about the team’s consistency.
Martínez’s intervention has added another dimension to the debate, shifting attention from the result in Madrid to the decisions made behind the scenes.
Whether his comments lead to a wider discussion within the club remains to be seen. For now, Manchester United must respond on the pitch while their hierarchy faces renewed scrutiny over recruitment, squad development and the team’s long-term direction.
