The Argentine defender questions Manchester United’s summer recruitment after a 2–0 Champions League loss, insisting the club must strengthen the squad rather than place all the blame on the manager and players.
Lisandro Martínez has delivered a blunt assessment of Manchester United’s squad-building strategy, criticising the club’s hierarchy and demanding greater investment after Tuesday’s 2–0 Champions League defeat to Atlético Madrid.
The Argentine centre-back expressed his frustration in a post-match interview with Amazon Prime Video, singling out director of football Jason Wilcox and arguing that United needed a stronger squad to compete against Europe’s leading teams.
“I expect more from our technical director. I have to be honest,” Martínez said. “And also, as players, we have to do more. But it’s also important to build a strong squad to be ready for these kinds of nights.”
His comments came after United suffered another disappointing result in a difficult start to the campaign, extending their winless run to five matches across competitions.
‘We expected more from the top’
Martínez argued that United should have built more decisively on the foundations established last season, when the team secured a third-place Premier League finish and returned to the Champions League.
“We did a fantastic season last season, and now 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 Atlético’s quality but maintained that United’s recruitment should have left them better equipped for high-pressure European fixtures.
Asked whether he believed the squad needed more investment to compete at Champions League level, Martínez answered emphatically that he expected more, directing particular criticism towards the club’s technical director.
He also voiced disappointment at the performance itself, saying the team had failed to show the determination required to produce a major result away from home.
Martínez refuses to make Carrick the scapegoat
While his remarks placed the spotlight on United’s recruitment and leadership, Martínez stopped short of blaming manager Michael Carrick alone.
The defender argued that football clubs must examine problems beyond the dugout instead of repeatedly changing managers whenever results deteriorate.
“Tonight it is easy to say the coach, easy to say the players, but also we have to see other areas,” he said.
Martínez’s intervention could intensify scrutiny of Wilcox and United’s wider football leadership, particularly as the club attempts to translate last season’s progress into sustained success in the Premier League and Europe.
Atlético punish United in Madrid
United’s problems on the pitch were evident from the opening minute at the Metropolitano. Pablo Barrios put Atlético ahead after just 53 seconds, leaving the visitors chasing the game almost immediately.
The task became more difficult when United defender Leny Yoro was sent off in the second half. Ademola Lookman then scored Atlético’s second goal in the 79th minute to seal a 2–0 victory.
The result added to the pressure surrounding United’s start to the season and provided the backdrop for Martínez’s unusually direct criticism of the club’s transfer strategy.
Rooney questions Martínez’s public criticism
Former United captain Wayne Rooney also criticised Martínez’s decision to air his concerns publicly, arguing that such comments risk undermining teammates.
Rooney acknowledged that questions over recruitment were legitimate but suggested they should be addressed internally rather than in a post-match interview.
The contrasting reactions underline the dilemma facing United: Martínez has called for greater ambition and a stronger squad, but the manner in which he delivered his message has created another talking point during an already difficult period for the club.
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