MADRID — Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has publicly criticized the club’s leadership after a 2–0 Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid, saying United need more quality players to compete for major trophies.
Martinez said he expected more from technical director Jason Wilcox and questioned whether the squad was strong enough to challenge at the highest level. He later said his comments were made out of anger and frustration, but he did not apologize.
Atletico Madrid Take Control Early
Atletico Madrid beat United 2–0 at home on Tuesday. Pablo Barrios gave the Spanish side the lead after only 50 seconds, and Ademola Lookman added the second goal in the 79th minute.
United’s task became harder when defender Leny Yoro was sent off in the 74th minute after a VAR review. The defeat extended United’s winless run to five matches and increased pressure on manager Michael Carrick.
Martinez Questions United’s Squad
Speaking after the match, Martinez said United must strengthen the squad if they want to compete with Europe’s best teams.
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“I expect more from our technical director,” Martinez said. “I have to be honest. And also, as a player, we have to do more.”
The Argentina international said a club with Manchester United’s history should be fighting for the Premier League and Champions League. He suggested that the current squad does not have enough depth or quality to reach that level.
Martinez Defends Carrick
Martinez did not blame Carrick for United’s problems. Instead, he defended the manager and said changing coaches again would not solve the club’s deeper issues.
He said Carrick was doing his best with the players available. Martinez believes the problem is bigger than one manager and relates to how the squad has been built.
United have changed managers several times in recent years. Martinez’s comments suggest he wants stability and better long-term planning rather than another managerial change.
Martinez Clarifies His Comments
After the interview attracted widespread attention, Martinez posted a statement on Instagram. He said he spoke out of “anger and frustration” following the defeat.
He said he wants United to compete for major trophies and accepts that players must take responsibility for improving results. However, he did not withdraw his criticism of the club’s leadership.
Martinez’s comments have created a new distraction for United at a difficult time. The club has struggled for consistency this season and now faces growing questions about its recruitment strategy.
Pundits React
Former United striker Wayne Rooney said Martinez may have gone too far by criticizing the club publicly. Rooney believes such concerns should normally be raised inside the club.
However, Rooney agreed that United need more investment in attack and defense. He said the squad needs improvement if the club wants to return to the top of English and European football.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher was more critical. He described the interview as “awful” and said it would create another problem for a club already under pressure.
Injuries Add to United’s Problems
United also have several injury concerns. Luke Shaw, Patrick Dorgu, and Noussair Mazraoui are currently sidelined, limiting Carrick’s defensive options.
The lack of available defenders has made United’s season more difficult. It has also strengthened Martinez’s argument that the squad needs more depth.
What Comes Next
United will travel to face Leeds United in the Premier League on Sunday. The match comes at a sensitive time, with poor results, injuries, and a public disagreement involving one of the club’s most important players.
Martinez’s future is also uncertain. His contract expires at the end of the season, although United have an option to extend it by one year.
For now, United must focus on recovering from the defeat. But Martinez’s comments have made clear that he believes the club’s problems go beyond the players on the pitch.
