Atletico Madrid's Spanish defender #22 Alejandro Grimaldo fights for the ball with Manchester United's Argentinian defender #06 Lisandro Martinez during the UEFA Champions League, league phase, matchday 2, football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Manchester United at the Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on October 13, 2026. (Photo by Javier SORIANO / AFP)
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martínez has criticised the club’s hierarchy for failing to strengthen the squad adequately during the summer transfer window, following their 2-0 Champions League defeat to Atlético Madrid on Tuesday.
The Argentina international defended manager Michael Carrick, arguing that the club’s recruitment decisions should also come under scrutiny rather than placing the blame solely on the coach and players.
According to ESPN, Martínez specifically called on United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, to invest more in the squad to help the team compete at the highest level.
“Really poor. Really poor,” Martínez told Amazon Prime after the match in Madrid.
He added, “I have to control myself a lot, but sometimes it 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.
“Atlético have an amazing team and they deserve to win today.
“But I expect more [investment]. 100%. I expect more from our technical director [Jason Wilcox].”
The defender admitted that the players also needed to improve but insisted that building a strong squad was essential to competing in demanding European fixtures.
“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,” he said.
Martínez also questioned the repeated focus on managerial changes when results deteriorate, suggesting that other areas of the club’s management should be examined.
“You can’t keep changing, changing, changing the manager. What about other areas?
“Tonight it is easy to say the coach, easy to say the players but also we have to see other areas,” he said.
He defended Carrick, saying the manager was doing his best and that United needed to evolve rather than rely on the foundation built during the previous season.
“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,” Martínez said.
United have spent about £150m on new signings during the summer, according to ESPN, considerably less than some of their Premier League rivals.
The defeat to Atlético was United’s third loss in five matches against the Spanish side, while Carrick had won only one of his previous seven games, increasing the pressure on the manager.
Reacting to Martínez’s comments, Carrick said he had not watched the interview and declined to offer an opinion on the defender’s remarks.
“I haven’t seen it. After a game like this you come here to try and get something from the game and you are disappointed and can be emotional.
“I have not seen it so I don’t think it is the right time,” Carrick said.
Carrick, however, insisted that his players remained committed despite the disappointing results.
He said, “We all care and show that in different ways but now is the time to be together and work through.
“As a group, I don’t doubt the togetherness or their wanting to win. Looking at the results, you could be saying it’s deeply wrong, but that’s not been the case.
“The players have been great, results haven’t, and they were desperate to get something out of the game.”