Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has launched a blistering critique of the club’s hierarchy, accusing them of failing to strengthen the squad following their return to the Champions League. Lisandro Martinez joined Manchester United from Ajax in 2022.
Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid means United have now gone five matches without a win. Their most recent victory came against Azerbaijani champions Sabah FK on 10 September. When they had to come from behind, united’s only other win in nine matches this season came against newly promoted Ipswich at Old Trafford. Martinez’s view has been echoed by many external observers and has also been mentioned by some inside Old Trafford.
The Red Devils finished third in the Premier League last term under Michael Carrick, who secured a permanent two-year contract after winning 12 of his 17 games in interim charge following Ruben Amorim’s dismissal in January.
Expressing his frustration after the match, Martinez told Amazon Prime that the team delivered a fantastic season last year and now expects more backing from the top, noting that numerous competing clubs are actively bringing in fresh talent. We created the base to create an amazing team, last season we did everything. Martinez’s comments echo similar ones made by his Argentina defensive partner Cristian Romero against the Tottenham board last season.
The defender specifically named technical director Jason Wilcox, stating he expected greater investment and recruitment. He also emphasized that while players must take responsibility for their performances, attention must be directed toward other areas of the club rather than solely blaming coaches or squad members. As players we have to do more but it is also important when you make a strong squad to be ready for this kind of night, i have to be honest. Easy to say the players but also we have to see other areas, tonight it is easy to [blame] the coach.
United’s recruitment has faced heavy scrutiny due to a failure to secure striking support for Benjamin Sesko and proper competition for left-back Luke Shaw during a summer window where the club invested heavily in three midfielders. Minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and chief executive Omar Berrada watched from the stands in Madrid as United suffered another setback.
The club has dismissed multiple managers in recent seasons, including Erik ten Hag in October 2024 and Amorim in January 2026, after previously backing them in the transfer market. Martinez questioned this continuous cycle of managerial changes, asking why other areas within the organization are not being scrutinized.
Match Reaction And Pundit Perspectives
- Dave Barry: It feels shocking to hear Martinez speak so openly. Those are criticisms fans have been chatting about in the pub for years – hearing it from a player’s mouth is staggering.
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Former United players Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young, who were working in Madrid as pundits, strongly criticized Martinez’s public comments. Rooney warned that such remarks would fracture the dressing room and described the statements as disrespectful to teammates, recalling his own regret over public criticisms he made in 2010.
Young echoed those sentiments, arguing that players must focus on improving their own performances on the pitch rather than publicly undermining the club’s recruitment strategy. Conversely, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson expressed support for the defender’s honesty, noting that supporters are well aware of the squad’s current limitations.
With Martinez currently holding one year remaining on his contract without an extension, his forthright remarks place renewed pressure on Carrick and technical director Wilcox as the club faces ongoing scrutiny regarding its financial debt, ticket pricing strategies, and executive departures.
