Lisandro Martinez slams Man United board after Atletico loss: Does he have a point?

Manchester United's defeat to Atletico Madrid has opened up another debate at Old Trafford, this time over the people running the club rather than just those on the pitch. United centre-back Lisandro Martinez has publicly questioned the hierarchy's recruitment, but his comments have also drawn criticism from former United players who believe he risked unsettling the dressing room at a difficult time.

United lost 2-0 in Madrid on Tuesday, extending their winless run to five matches. Having finished third in the Premier League last season, they returned to the Champions League but spent their summer transfer budget largely on midfield, leaving questions over support for Benjamin Sesko and competition for Luke Shaw.

Martinez addressed the issue in his post-match interview with Amazon Prime, calling for greater investment from football director Jason Wilcox.

"Really poor. Really poor..."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. Atletico have an amazing team and they deserve to win today," Martinez said.

"I expect more [investment]. 100%. I expect more from our technical director [Jason Wilcox]. 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," he added.

Martinez was not the only United player to express frustration.

Amad Diallo posted "F**king disgrace" on social media after the defeat. He did not specify what or whom he was referring to, so the post cannot be taken as a confirmed criticism of the board.

UNITED LEGENDS HIT BACK AT MARTINEZ

Martinez's criticism did not go down well with two former United players watching the fallout unfold. Wayne Rooney felt the defender had crossed a line by taking his concerns public, particularly when United need the squad to pull together rather than turn on one another.

"Something like that will rip that dressing room apart," Rooney said.

"It is disrespectful to his team-mates. He is saying his team-mates aren't good enough. Bruno [Fernandes] is the only one with any right to say that. Behind closed doors, it happens - but that interview isn't going to help," he added.

Rooney also questioned Martinez's decision to speak on behalf of the players, suggesting the interview could be seen as an attempt to protect himself rather than help the team.

"[Martinez] has tried to speak on behalf of the players but done it the wrong way. It looks like a player trying to look after himself. It was very premeditated. It is sad because you need everyone to stick together, you need to be as one."

Ashley Young shared Rooney's concerns about the timing, though he did not dismiss the need for better recruitment. He felt the players also had to take responsibility for what was happening on the pitch.

"We know recruitment has to work and be better but players have to be better," Young said. "They are the ones who have to produce."

Young warned that Martinez's comments could dominate the conversation for days, distracting from what had otherwise been a more encouraging performance from United.

DOES MARTINEZ HAVE A POINT?

There is a reasonable case behind Martinez's frustration, particularly when United's summer recruitment is examined beyond the headline spending figure.

The club spent around 155 million pounds on midfielders Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans during the summer, but did not sign another striker to support Benjamin Sesko or a specialist left-back to compete with Luke Shaw.

United's recruitment has left gaps, and repeated managerial changes have raised questions about the club's long-term football plan. Erik ten Hag was dismissed in October 2024, while Ruben Amorim left in January 2026, despite both having been backed in the transfer market. Repeated changes in the dugout invite scrutiny of whether United have a consistent long-term plan, or whether each new manager is expected to make a difficult squad work before the club changes direction again.

Spending money is not the same as building a balanced squad, particularly when the team is competing in Europe.

But Martinez's argument is not a complete defence of the players. He acknowledged that United needed to do more on the pitch, and their defeat to Atletico offered a reminder of that responsibility. Conceding inside the first minute put them on the back foot, while the red card to Leny Yoro made their task harder. Recruitment can explain gaps in a squad, but it cannot account for every lapse in concentration or missed opportunity.

CARRICK CALLS FOR UNITY AFTER DEFEAT

The timing of Martinez's comments put Carrick in an awkward position. The United head coach was asked about the interview immediately after a defeat in which his side had conceded early and then lost Leny Yoro to a red card. Rather than get drawn into a public disagreement with his defender, Carrick stressed that he wanted the squad to stay together and focus on improving results.

"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," he said. "I have not seen it so I don't think it is the right time."

Carrick added that he did not doubt the players' commitment, despite the run of results.

"We all care and show that in different ways but now is the time to be together and work through," he said. "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."

United have little time to dwell on the fallout. They travel to Leeds United on Sunday, October 18, before facing Como away in the Champions League on October 21. Bournemouth then visit Old Trafford on October 25. Those three matches offer Carrick a chance to steady the season, but the scrutiny of Wilcox and the hierarchy will remain until results improve and questions over recruitment are answered.