After Manchester United’s 2‑0 defeat to Atlético Madrid in the Champions League, defender Lisandro Martínez sparked a storm of criticism by publicly questioning the club’s hierarchy. In a post‑match interview with Amazon Prime, the 28‑year‑old Argentina player accused the club’s “upstairs” staff, specifically technical director Jason Wilcox, of failing to strengthen the squad during the summer transfer window. Martínez, who is out of contract at the end of the season, said he expected more investment after United spent £155 million on four major signings following a third‑place Premier League finish last year.
The comments came at a time when United’s form has been disappointing. The loss in Madrid extended the club’s winless run to five games, adding pressure on manager Michael Carrick. Martínez admitted that the team’s performance had been “awful” at the start of the campaign, but he insisted that the club’s lack of summer reinforcement was a key factor. “We had a fantastic season last season, and we expect more from the top, from upstairs, to bring in more players to compete,” he told the broadcaster, noting that many rivals had bolstered their squads.
Former United captain Wayne Rooney and former Liverpool and Chelsea defender Jamie Carragher both weighed in on the incident. Carragher blasted Martínez’s remarks as “awful” and “disrespectful,” arguing that the player’s criticism of the club’s hierarchy did nothing to help the team and would only inflame supporters. “It doesn’t do anybody any good at all,” Carragher said to CBS Sports, adding that fans would likely embrace the narrative but that it would not improve United’s situation.
Rooney echoed Carragher’s sentiment, stating that Martínez’s outburst was excessive and that the player’s performances had not justified such a public critique. “It’s a bit disrespectful to his teammates,” Rooney said, noting that a player who is not performing at a high level should not question the squad’s quality. He added that while the club may need to invest more, such discussions should remain internal between players, managers and the board.
United’s board has yet to respond formally to the controversy, but the incident has intensified scrutiny of the club’s summer strategy and the stability of its coaching staff. With the Champions League campaign still in motion and the Premier League title race tightening, the club’s leadership will need to address both the squad’s morale and the broader investment strategy to avoid further unrest among players and supporters alike.