United’s missed signings fuel Lisandro Martínez’s criticism of the board
Manchester United’s shaky start – two wins from nine games and a run of five winless matches – has amplified scrutiny of the summer transfer strategy. After a 2‑0 loss to Atlético Madrid, Argentine defender Lisandro Martínez publicly called on the hierarchy to bring in more competition.
Martínez’s public demand
Speaking after the defeat, Martínez said, “We expect more from the top, bring in more players to compete,” before directing his criticism at technical director Jason Wilcox, adding, “I expect more from our technical director.” The comments underline growing frustration within the squad over the limited reinforcement.
Players United failed to secure
United’s only permanent arrivals for the first‑team squad were goalkeeper Karl Darlow on a free transfer, midfielder Youri Tielemans for £35 million, midfielder Andrey Santos for £50 million and forward Carlos Baleba for £70 million. While the midfield received a sizeable injection, several key areas remain thin.
The left‑back position was a priority that went unfilled. United relied heavily on Luke Shaw, who featured in all 38 Premier League games last season but is again hampered by physical issues. Prospective replacements Lewis Hall, valued at around £70 million by Newcastle, and Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde, priced beyond United’s current budget, were both rejected.
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In central defence, the club passed on a young 20‑year‑old centre‑back, Ayden Heaven, who was forced into an improvised role against Atlético Madrid. Veteran options such as Nico Schlotterbeck, a Borussia Dortmund defender whose experience could have steadied a back line already plagued by injuries, were never pursued.
Midfield depth also attracted criticism. Although United spent heavily, the absence of a more positional defensive midfielder was noted. Frenchman Aurélien Tchouaméni, then at Real Madrid, was linked as a potential solution but the club never turned interest into a concrete offer.
Up front, United’s reliance on a lone striker, Joshua Zirkzee, after Slovenian forward Benjamin Sesko’s injury, left the attack vulnerable. Jean‑Philippe Mateta, who had scored at least 12 league goals in each of the previous three seasons, was cited as a missed target, with a reported fee of £25 million.
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Overall, United have conceded in eight of their nine league outings, lost depth on the left flank and now lack a genuine home‑grown striking option. The combination of these gaps fuels Martínez’s call for more competition and puts additional pressure on Wilcox to reshape the recruitment approach.