Martinez issues blistering criticism of Man Utd board after loss

In a pointed critique following Manchester United's disappointing 2-0 Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid, defender Lisandro Martinez has strongly criticized the club's decision-makers for failing to bolster the squad after qualifying for the prestigious tournament.

The loss marked United's fifth consecutive match without a win, following their last victory against Azerbaijani champions Sabah FK on September 10. The club's only other win this season came against newly promoted Ipswich, where they triumphed after trailing.

Last season, United secured a third-place finish in the Premier League, which facilitated their return to the Champions League after a three-year absence.

"We had a fantastic season last year, and now we expect more from the top, more players to compete because many teams have strengthened," Martinez stated. "Atletico has an exceptional team, and they deserved to win today. I expect more investment—100%. I expect more from our technical director [Jason Wilcox]."

He added, "While we, as players, need to perform better, it is equally crucial to have a solid squad prepared for such challenges. It is easy to blame the coach or the players, but we also need to consider other areas of the club."

Martinez's sentiments resonate with numerous observers outside the club and have been echoed by voices within Old Trafford. Concerns have been raised regarding the lack of attacking support for Benjamin Sesko and competition at left-back for Luke Shaw, particularly in a summer where United allocated £155 million on three midfielders while neglecting other positions.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a minority owner, was seen alongside United chief executive Omar Berrada at the Metropolitano Stadium during the match.

"You cannot keep changing managers," Martinez remarked. "What about other areas? I can't elaborate further. Last season, we laid the groundwork to build an exceptional team."

His remarks reflect similar criticisms made by his Argentine defensive partner Cristian Romero against the Tottenham board last season. Interestingly, Romero played for Atletico in their match against United following his summer transfer to Spain.

Martinez is in the final year of his United contract, and discussions regarding an extension remain unresolved.

'That will rip the dressing room apart'

Former United stars Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young were present in Madrid for the game and discussed Martinez's comments on Amazon Prime. Both expressed concern that the defender may have overstepped boundaries, potentially causing unrest within the dressing room.

"Such statements could divide the dressing room," remarked Rooney, recalling his own public criticism of the club in 2010 that elicited a strong response from then-manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Rooney characterized his outburst as a mistake and expressed regret for it.

"It comes across as disrespectful to his teammates," he emphasized. "He implies that his teammates are not up to standard. Only Bruno [Fernandes] has the latitude to voice such opinions. While private critiques may occur, this public interview won’t lead to positive outcomes. It appears as though he is attempting to protect his interests. The intentional nature of his remarks is disheartening, as unity is essential."

Manager Michael Carrick was initially asked to address the situation live on air before proceeding to the post-match press conference, where he faced questions from three different reporters regarding Martinez's statements.

"I haven't seen the interview," Carrick stated. "I've caught wind of it somewhat. Emotions are high following the game. Right now is not the moment to discuss that interview, and I'm unable to provide commentary on it. We must prioritize moving forward."

When questioned about the potential for a discussion with Martinez about his comments, Carrick responded, "I need to gather more information before determining if action is necessary and what should be done."