Manchester United are reportedly reviewing the fallout from Lisandro Martínez’s post‑match interview after the club’s 2‑0 loss to Atlético Madrid, according to sources speaking to ESPN. The Argentine defender took aim at United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, accusing him of failing to deliver a squad capable of competing at the highest level.
In the interview, Martínez said he “expected more” from Wilcox during the summer transfer window and criticised the team’s quality, claiming it was not strong enough “to be ready for this kind of night.” The comments were made after the defeat, a day that had been designated as a rest period for the players. Club officials are now weighing whether disciplinary measures should be imposed on the defender for publicly airing grievances.
The club’s hierarchy has met to discuss the situation. Sources say that United’s senior leadership will decide on any action against Martínez on Thursday, when the squad is scheduled to return to the Carrington training base. The decision will follow a meeting that took place on Wednesday, the day after the loss. Martínez will be informed of the outcome as the club prepares to resume training.
Wilcox, who stepped into the role of director of football in December 2023 after Dan Ashworth’s departure, remains in the confidence of the club’s leadership. He was promoted from technical director in April 2024 and has the backing of minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who was instrumental in his appointment. The club’s board has not indicated any intention to remove Wilcox from his position despite the criticism from Martínez.
The incident highlights the growing tension within United’s ranks, especially after the sacking of head coach Ruben Amorim in January 2024, a decision that followed a breakdown in the relationship between Amorim and Wilcox. With the team still struggling to find consistency, the club’s management faces the challenge of maintaining discipline while addressing the underlying issues that led to the Argentine defender’s outspoken remarks.