Martinez Criticizes Manchester United Board After Atletico Defeat

Manchester United's struggles continued with a 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid, prompting defender Lisandro Martinez to question the club's recruitment strategy and demand greater investment from its leadership. Speaking after Tuesday's match in Madrid on October 13, 2026, the Argentine international argued that strengthening the squad was necessary to compete at the highest level, while acknowledging that the players also had to improve.

The result extended United's winless streak to five matches across all competitions, according to BBC Sport and the Express. The club's previous victory came against Sabah FK on September 10, while its only other win this season was against newly promoted Ipswich at Old Trafford.

United finished third in the Premier League last season to secure a return to the Champions League after a three-year absence. However, the club's summer recruitment focused on midfield, with reports putting expenditure on three midfielders at approximately £150 million to £155 million, while questions remained about attacking support for Benjamin Sesko and competition for left-back Luke Shaw.

Martinez said the club's previous campaign had established a foundation for further progress, but he believed the leadership needed to provide more resources.

"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," Martinez said.

He acknowledged Atletico's performance while arguing that United needed a stronger squad to handle demanding European fixtures.

"Atletico have an amazing team and they deserved to win today."

Martinez specifically directed his criticism toward technical director Jason Wilcox and the club's senior management.

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

He also accepted that the players had responsibilities for the disappointing result, while maintaining that recruitment decisions deserved scrutiny.

"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."

United's defeat included an early Atletico goal, missed opportunities to equalize and a second-half red card for Leny Yoro, according to the Express. Ademola Lookman subsequently scored Atletico's second goal, leaving United unable to recover.

Martinez argued that responsibility should not fall exclusively on the coaching staff or the players. His comments also raised questions about the club's repeated managerial changes and its wider sporting strategy.

"Tonight it is easy to [blame] the coach, easy to say the players but also we have to see other areas."

He reiterated his objection to treating managerial changes as the only response to persistent problems.

"You can't keep changing, changing, changing the manager," Martinez said.

His remarks echoed concerns raised in the Express report about whether United had sufficiently adapted its squad after last season's progress. The report also noted similarities with previous criticism of Tottenham's leadership by Argentina defender Cristian Romero, who faced United as an Atletico player following his summer move.

Martinez described the previous campaign as a platform for building a more competitive team.

"Last season we did everything, we created the base to create an amazing team."

During his post-match interview, Martinez also described the performance and the team's overall situation in strongly negative terms.

"Really poor. Really poor. I have to control myself a lot, but sometimes it's a reflection of how our club is at the moment."

He repeated his call for stronger recruitment and acknowledged Atletico's superiority on the night.

"We had 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. Atletico have an amazing team and they deserve to win today."

Martinez emphasized that improving the squad was important but did not absolve the players of responsibility for their performance.

"I expect more, honestly. I expect more from our technical director. I have to be honest.

And also, as a player, we have to do more. It's also important to build a strong squad to be ready for this kind of night."

He expressed disappointment with United's display and returned to the need for a stronger foundation.

"In general, I think last season we did everything. We created the base to build an amazing team. But this is something, to be honest, and to prove something.

It's annoying and disappointing coming here. I'm not seeing my team trying to get an amazing result here. It's disappointing."

Asked whether manager Michael Carrick should be dismissed, Martinez rejected that suggestion and defended the coach's efforts. He argued that opponents adapt to a team's methods and that the club must respond beyond the dugout.

"I don't think so. I don't think so. He does his best.

But every season is different. You can't stay with what you did last season. Teams know you, how you play.

Teams know every detail, and if you don't change next season, it's a big problem."

He again challenged the emphasis on managerial turnover as the principal solution.

"You start changing, changing, changing managers. But what about other areas? I can't say more.

Tonight, it's easy to say the coach, it's easy to say the players. But also we have to look at other areas."

Martinez's criticism was also reflected in comments reported by Yahoo Sports Canada, which highlighted his concern about the club's sporting leadership.

"We expect more"

The report summarized his position as a demand for greater ambition following the previous season's achievements.

"We had a fantastic season last season, and now we expect more from those at the top."

Asked whether the squad lacked sufficient Champions League quality and whether summer investment had been inadequate, Martinez responded emphatically.

"Yes, 100%."

He also expressed disappointment with the club's technical leadership.

"I expected more from our technical director..."

Martinez continued to defend Carrick while calling for greater scrutiny of other parts of the organization.

"[Carrick] does the best he can... You can keep changing, changing, changing the manager, but what about the other areas? I can't say any more,"

Manchester United's leadership did not immediately provide a response to Martinez's full criticism in the reports. Carrick said after the match that he had not yet seen the defender's comments and considered the immediate priority to be unity and a collective response.

"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.

He stressed the importance of the team working through the setback together.

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

Midfielder Youri Tielemans, when asked about Martinez's remarks, declined to comment.

"I have no comment on that."

United's next fixture was a trip to Leeds United, followed by another Champions League match away to Como, according to the Express. Martinez also has one year remaining on his Manchester United contract, with BBC Sport reporting that he has yet to agree to an extension.