Manchester United defender Lisandro Martínez publicly criticised the club’s leadership on Tuesday after a 2-0 Champions League defeat at Atlético Madrid, saying the squad was not strengthened enough in the summer.
Speaking to Amazon Prime after the match, Martínez said he had to restrain himself but that the performance mirrored the state of the club. He said the players had worked hard and been let down by results, and that he expected more from those above them in the structure. He singled out technical director Jason Wilcox, saying he had hoped for greater investment in the squad, and called on the club to add players as rivals had done.
Pablo Barrios scored inside the first minute for Atlético, and Ademola Lookman added a second after the break. The loss was United’s fifth match without a win in all competitions. The club has taken one win from its Premier League games this season and sits 13th. Manager Michael Carrick has won one of his last seven matches.
Martínez, an Argentina international, defended Carrick and said pressure should fall on those above him rather than the manager. Asked about the coach’s future, he questioned why attention always turned to managerial changes and not to other parts of the club, then said he could not say more.
The comments drew a response from former United captain Wayne Rooney, who was working as a pundit for Amazon Prime. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher also criticised the remarks, according to Sky Sports.
United have not publicly responded to the remarks. Possible disciplinary action had not been confirmed in the reports reviewed.
United host Roma in the Champions League on Nov. 3, and Aston Villa in the Premier League on Nov. 8.
