Lisandro Martinez, the Argentine centre‑back who joined Manchester United from Ajax in 2022, publicly admitted that his recent criticism of the club’s hierarchy was driven by “anger and frustration.” The comments came after United’s 2‑0 defeat to Atlético Madrid in the Champions League group stage, a match that left the club’s supporters and management uneasy.
In a post on social media, Martinez said he had expected more investment in the squad following United’s qualification for the Champions League. He singled out technical director Jason Wilcox, demanding “more from our technical director” and calling for stronger ambition from the club’s leadership. While he stopped short of issuing a formal apology, he reiterated his confidence in his teammates, manager Michael Carrick and the wider United staff, stating that he “believes in my teammates, our manager and everyone working to help this club move forward.”
The defender explained that his outburst reflected the passion and commitment he brings to the game, especially when representing a club with United’s history and stature. “When things don’t go our way, it hurts, especially when representing a club with the history and stature of Manchester United,” he wrote. Martinez emphasized that his remarks were not personal but a call for higher standards and ambition, insisting that the club must “keep growing, become stronger and have everything we need to compete at the highest level.”
United’s form has been a source of concern. Since a 1‑0 win over Sabah in the Champions League on 10 September, the club has gone five games without a victory, winning only two of nine league matches and sitting 13th in the Premier League with six points from six games. Martinez’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season, with the club holding an option to extend it for an additional year. He stressed that the responsibility ultimately lies with the players, urging them to “demand even more of ourselves and work together to take Manchester United back to the top.”
The team’s next fixture is a Premier League away match against Leeds United on Sunday, 18 October. Martinez’s statement comes at a time when United are looking to rebuild confidence and secure a more competitive squad for the remainder of the campaign.