Man Utd defender blames club hierarchy after Champions League defeat to Atlético Madrid
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martínez has criticised the club’s hierarchy for failing to adequately strengthen the squad during the summer transfer window following their 2-0 Champions League defeat to Atlético Madrid on Tuesday.
The Argentina international defended manager Michael Carrick, arguing that the club’s recruitment strategy should also face scrutiny rather than blaming only the coach and players.
According to ESPN, Martínez specifically urged United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, to invest more in the squad to improve the team’s ability to compete at the highest level.
“Really poor. Really poor,” Martínez told Amazon Prime after the match in Madrid.
He added, “I have to control myself a lot, but sometimes it is a reflection of the mirror of how is our club at the moment.
“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.
“Atlético have an amazing team and they deserve to win today.
“But I expect more [investment]. 100%. I expect more from our technical director [Jason Wilcox].”
The defender acknowledged that the players also needed to improve but stressed that a strong squad was necessary to compete in demanding European fixtures.
“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,” he said.
Martínez also questioned the tendency to focus on managerial changes when results decline, arguing that other aspects of the club’s management should be examined.
“You can’t keep changing, changing, changing the manager. What about other areas?
“Tonight it is easy to say the coach, easy to say the players but also we have to see other areas,” he said.
He further defended Carrick, saying the manager was doing his best and that United needed to continue developing rather than relying solely on the foundation established during the previous season.
“Last season we did everything, we created the base to create an amazing team.
“It is annoying, disappointing coming here and I am not seeing my team trying to get an amazing result here,” Martínez said.
According to ESPN, Manchester United spent approximately £150 million on new signings during the summer, considerably less than some of their Premier League rivals.
The defeat to Atlético marked United’s third loss in five matches against the Spanish side. Carrick had also won only one of his previous seven games, increasing the pressure on the manager.
Reacting to Martínez’s comments, Carrick said he had not watched the interview and declined to give an opinion on the defender’s remarks.
“I haven’t seen it. After a game like this you come here to try and get something from the game and you are disappointed and can be emotional.
“I have not seen it so I don’t think it is the right time,” Carrick said.
However, Carrick maintained that his players remained committed despite the disappointing results.
“We all care and show that in different ways but now is the time to be together and work through.
“As a group, I don’t doubt the togetherness or their wanting to win. Looking at the results, you could be saying it’s deeply wrong, but that’s not been the case.
“The players have been great, results haven’t, and they were desperate to get something out of the game.”