Manchester United: Martinez criticises hierarchy after Atletico defeat

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has criticised the club's hierarchy for failing to strengthen the squad sufficiently, following their defeat by Atletico Madrid that marked their fourth loss of the campaign.

United suffered a disappointing defeat in Spain on Tuesday night, conceding an early goal to Pablo Barrios before Ademola Lookman extended Atletico's advantage following the dismissal of Leny Yoro.

The result leaves Manchester United with only two victories in all competitions this season, raising further questions about their performances under manager Michael Carrick.

However, Martinez believes responsibility for the team's struggles should not rest solely on the players or the manager, arguing that the club's leadership must also be held accountable for its recruitment decisions.

Speaking to Amazon Prime Video after the match, the Argentine defender expressed his frustration with the situation at Old Trafford and called for greater investment to improve the squad.

“Really poor. Really poor. I have to control myself a lot but sometimes is a reflection of the mirror of how is our club at the moment.

"We did a fantastic season last season and now we expect more from the top, more players to compete because many teams bring many players as well. Atletico have an amazing team and they deserve to win today.

"I expect more [investment]. 100%. I expect more from our technical director [Jason Wilcox]. I have to be honest, as players we have to do more but it is also important when you make a strong squad to be ready for this kind of night."

Martinez's comments highlight his concerns about the club's ability to compete with Europe's leading sides, particularly when facing opponents with strong squads and greater depth.

The defender argued that United had established a solid foundation during the previous season but had failed to build sufficiently on that progress.

When asked which areas of the team required improvement, Martinez said the need for reinforcements extended across the squad rather than being limited to one particular position.

"In general. Last season we did everything, we created the base to create an amazing team.

"It is annoying, disappointing coming here and I am not seeing my team trying to get an amazing result here."

The defender also defended Carrick, rejecting suggestions that the manager should bear the blame for the team's disappointing start.

Martinez said the demands of football require teams to evolve from one season to the next, warning that opponents can exploit weaknesses if a side fails to adapt its approach.

"I don't think so. He does his best. Every season is different. You can't stay with what you did last season. The teams knows how you play, they know every detail, if you don't change next season is a big problem.

"You can't keep changing, changing, changing the manager. What about other areas? I can't say more. Tonight it is easy to say the coach, easy to say the players but also we have to see other areas."

United invested around £150m in new players during the summer transfer window ahead of Carrick's first full season in charge.

However, the club directed all of that spending towards strengthening its midfield, with Youri Tielemans arriving from Aston Villa, Andrey Santos joining from Chelsea and Carlos Baleba completing a big-money move from Brighton.

Despite that investment, Martinez believes the club must continue improving its squad to compete consistently against elite opposition.

The defender's remarks suggest that, in his view, United's problems extend beyond their performances on the pitch and require attention from those responsible for shaping the team.

With only two wins in all competitions this season, the pressure is mounting on Manchester United to improve their results, while Martinez has made clear that he expects the club's leadership to play a greater role in addressing the team's shortcomings.