Lisandro Martínez’s angry remarks after Manchester United’s 2‑0 defeat to Atlético Madrid have ignited a firestorm inside the club. The 28‑year‑old defender openly criticised the club’s transfer policy, saying the squad “is not the best” and that he “expects more investment” from director of football Jason Wilcox. His comments, made in front of the entire executive team, have prompted questions about the state of United’s squad, the role of Wilcox and the responsibility of manager Erik ten Hag.
United’s summer transfer window has been criticised for its focus on midfielders. The club signed Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba, but left key areas, particularly the back four, under‑reinforced. Diogo Dalot, Martínez, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw have been together since 2022, and the lack of depth has become a pressing issue. Martínez, whose contract expires next summer, may not be offered a new deal or have his one‑year option exercised, adding personal stakes to his outburst. The club’s financial constraints, largely a result of the Glazers’ £1.1 billion debt, have also limited spending, with United’s £155 million outlay dwarfed by rivals such as Manchester City, who spent over £450 million in the same period.
Wilcox’s influence over football decisions has been a point of contention. As director of football, he sits just below Sir Jim Ratcliffe in the hierarchy, giving him near‑unilateral power over signings and strategy. His past decisions, including the handling of Erik ten Hag’s hiring and the fallout with Ruben Amorim, have been described as missteps. These controversies raise the question of whether Wilcox bears responsibility for the club’s recent poor form, which includes a six‑point haul from six league games and only two wins in all competitions this season.
Manager Erik ten Hag’s role is also under scrutiny. While the quality of the squad largely depends on Wilcox’s transfer policy, ten Hag is expected to get the best out of the players on the training ground and in matches. Critics point to United’s disjointed play, low running statistics and inability to capitalize on being a man up, citing losses to City and a draw with Tottenham as examples. Despite this, some players, such as Andrey Santos, have expressed confidence in the manager, saying the team must work to change its fortunes.
The club’s internal atmosphere appears tense. After the Atlético loss, Amad Diallo posted a scathing Snapchat message, calling the situation a “disgrace.” The combination of Martínez’s criticism, Diallo’s frustration and the club’s low physical output—United ran only 671.4 kilometres in the Premier League, the fifth‑lowest total—suggests a broader crisis of unity and discipline.
Looking ahead, United will need to address the squad’s depth and morale. The club’s next steps will involve deciding whether to extend Martínez’s contract, reassessing Wilcox’s role and possibly reshuffling the transfer strategy. The outcome of these decisions will determine whether United can reverse its slide and regain competitiveness in the Premier League and European competitions.