Lisandro Martínez has openly criticised Manchester United’s new director of football, Jason Wilcox, after the club’s recent loss to Atlético Madrid. Martínez, a 28‑year‑old World Cup winner, said the defeat highlighted deeper problems at United that go beyond the manager, Michael Carrick, and that the club’s leadership has failed to address the root causes of its poor form.
Wilcox, who joined Old Trafford in April 2024 after a brief spell as Southampton’s director of football, has been under intense scrutiny since his arrival. He was promoted from a technical director role to sporting director after Dan Ashworth left the post after only five months. United’s board, led by chief executive Omar Berrada and owner Jim Ratcliffe, had hoped Wilcox’s experience at Manchester City’s academy and his former partnership with Berrada would bring a new level of professionalism to the club’s recruitment and development pipeline. However, many staff and fans feel that the club’s transfer strategy has not delivered the expected returns.
The criticism centres on United’s recent transfer activity. In the summer, the club spent £155 million on three midfielders—Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba—yet has struggled to fill other key positions. The departure of Casemiro and the injury to Manuel Ugarte left the midfield thin, while the squad lacks a reliable left‑back or backup striker. The high spending on Premier League‑experienced players has left little budget for other areas, and the squad’s depth is now questioned after Carrick had to deploy 20‑year‑old centre‑back Ayden Heaven out of position to cover for an absent Luke Shaw.
Wilcox’s recruitment record has also been called into question. He passed on signing Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, who later moved to Manchester City for a higher fee, and has been criticised for bringing in players whose market value has not increased significantly. Some former City Football Group staff argue that Wilcox’s skills are better suited to academy work rather than running a top‑flight club’s football operations.
Despite the criticism, owner Jim Ratcliffe has defended Wilcox, describing him as a “warm character” who “knows what he’s talking about.” Ratcliffe has said he has “a lot of time” for Wilcox and that their relationship is strong. However, if United’s performance continues to falter, the board may be forced to reconsider Wilcox’s role. The club sits 13th in the Premier League after just one win from six matches, a position that suggests the squad is not in good health and that the current recruitment strategy is not yielding the desired results.
Looking ahead, United’s next steps will likely involve a review of the transfer budget for the upcoming summer window and a reassessment of the club’s long‑term football strategy. Whether Wilcox remains in charge or is replaced will depend on whether the board believes a change at the top of the football operation can reverse the club’s fortunes and restore confidence among fans and stakeholders.