Man United Crisis: Lisandro Martinez Demands More From Club Hierarchy After Atletico Defeat

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has called on the club’s leadership to invest more heavily in the squad, expressing disappointment with the level of recruitment despite the team’s return to the UEFA Champions League.

The Argentine made the comments after United’s 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, which extended their winless streak to five matches in all competitions.

Martinez insisted that the club’s struggles should not be blamed exclusively on head coach Michael Carrick and the players, arguing that the hierarchy must also accept responsibility for the team’s shortcomings.

Speaking to Amazon Prime, the defender said United needed to do more in the transfer market to compete with their rivals.

“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.

Martinez specifically called on technical director Jason Wilcox to strengthen the squad, saying: “I expect more. 100 per cent. I expect more from our technical director, Jason Wilcox.”

Although he admitted that the players had to improve their performances, the defender stressed that squad depth and recruitment were equally important when facing top opposition.

“I have to be honest, 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,” Martinez said.

He added: “Tonight it is easy to blame the coach, easy to blame the players but also we have to see other areas.”

Manchester United secured third place in the Premier League last season to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in three years.

Despite spending around £155 million on three midfield signings, however, the club did not make significant additions in other positions.

Martinez also challenged United’s tendency to change managers, suggesting that problems within the club extended beyond the coaching position.

“You can’t keep changing, changing, changing the manager. What about other areas? I can’t say more,” he said.

The defender maintained that the team had laid the groundwork for further success during the previous campaign.

“Last season we did everything, we created the base to create an amazing team,” he added.

However, Martinez’s public criticism did not go down well with former United captain Wayne Rooney, who warned that the comments could undermine unity within the squad.

Reacting to the interview on Amazon Prime, Rooney said: “Something like that will rip that dressing room apart.”

Rooney argued that Martinez’s remarks amounted to a public criticism of his fellow players and could create unnecessary divisions.

“It is disrespectful to his teammates. He is saying his teammates aren’t good enough,” the former England international said.

Carrick, meanwhile, revealed that he had not watched the full interview when asked to respond to Martinez’s comments after the Atletico defeat.

The United manager declined to discuss the matter in detail, instead emphasising the need to focus on improving the team’s performances.

The latest defeat has further increased pressure on United’s transfer policy and senior leadership, including technical director Jason Wilcox, chief executive Omar Berrada and minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

The club have now recorded five consecutive matches without a win, with their last victory coming against Azerbaijan’s Sabah FK on September 10.

Martinez, who arrived at Old Trafford from Ajax in 2022, has entered the final year of his current contract, with no extension agreed.

Africans Angle News