Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez criticised the club’s hierarchy following their 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, calling for increased investment in the squad to enhance competitiveness.
In a post-match interview, Martinez expressed disappointment with the lack of significant reinforcements during the summer transfer window, specifically mentioning technical director Jason Wilcox. “I have to control myself a lot, but sometimes it’s a reflection of how our club is at the moment. We had a fantastic season last season, and now we expect more from the top, from upstairs, to bring in more players to compete because many teams have brought in many players as well,” he stated.
Martinez emphasised the need for a stronger squad, acknowledging that players also bear responsibility for improvement. “Yes, 100 per cent. I expect more from our technical director. I have to be honest. And also, as a player, we have to do more. It’s also important to build a strong squad to be ready for this kind of night,” he added.
The defender suggested that accountability for the team’s struggles should not rest solely with the manager or players. “He does his best,” Martinez said of interim manager Michael Carrick. “But every season is different. You can’t stay with what you did last season. The teams know how you play, they know every detail. If you don’t change, next season is a big problem. You start changing, changing, changing managers. But what about [moves his eyes upwards] other areas?”
He further commented, “I can’t say more. Because also tonight it is easy to say the coach, it is easy to say the players, but also we have to see other areas.”
At the post-match press conference, Carrick said he had not viewed Martinez’s interview and suggested the defender’s remarks were influenced by the emotions following the defeat. “Well, I haven’t seen the interview. I’ve half heard about it in the other interviews I’ve done. I think it’s a little bit about the emotions of the game as well, coming here and being disappointed not to get something from the game. Straight after a game, for me, is not the time to talk about that interview because I haven’t seen it, so I can’t really comment on that. But I think it’s important for us to move forward quickly, really. I think there’s a big game on Sunday, and it’s really important that we move forward and we stay focused on that,” he said.
“There’s disappointment within the group. I’m bitterly disappointed in certain things, and the boys are as well as a group,” Carrick added.