Martínez slams Manchester United's top brass as Carrick faces pressure

Lisandro Martínez, the 28‑year‑old Argentine centre‑back, openly criticised Manchester United’s hierarchy after the side’s 0‑2 defeat to Atlético Madrid in the Champions League, saying the squad was not sufficiently reinforced over the summer.

Summer spending under scrutiny

United spent €173.2 million in the most recent transfer window, with Carlos Baleba costing €75.9 million, Andrey Santos €56.3 million, Youri Tielemans €41 million and goalkeeper Karl Darlow arriving on a free transfer. Martínez, whose market value is listed at €45.00 million, argued that the club should have added more players of Champions‑League quality.

Support for Carrick amid a poor start

Despite the criticism, Martínez defended manager Michael Carrick, who was appointed permanently in May and signed a contract until 2028. He said Carrick “gives his best” and warned against constantly changing the coach when deeper issues remain.

Martínez told Amazon Prime, “I have to pull myself together, but it reflects how our club looks at the moment.” He added that the team had enjoyed a “fantastic season” last year and now expected more from the board, especially sporting director Jason Wilcox.

Lisandro Martínez puts technical director Jason Wilcox under fire after Champions League defeat

The club’s Premier League campaign has yielded six points from six games, a start described as the worst in four decades. In the Champions League, United’s record is balanced after a 4‑0 opening‑round win over FK Sabah and the recent loss in Madrid.

In the club’s own forums, fans discuss the “Community Gaming” and “Premium Service” sections, where the “Neueste Transfers” and “Alle News” are debated alongside “Bundesliga” analysis and “Nach” updates on the squad.

Martinez demands funding from United after League duel vs Atlético Madrid

Martínez’s contract expires next summer, and he noted that it is “easy to criticise the coach or players, but the broader structure matters too.” Carrick, aged 45, declined to comment directly, stating that post‑match interviews are not the right moment for discussion.