Lisandro Martínez challenges Manchester United hierarchy after defeat

Lisandro Martínez hit out at Manchester United’s hierarchy after his side’s 2-0 defeat by Atlético Madrid. The defender called for greater investment and said the loss reflected the club’s current state. Goals from Pablo Barrios and Ademola Lookman settled the result.

“I expect more [investment], 100%. I expect more from our technical director,” Martínez said. He acknowledged that the players also had to do more, but stressed the need to build a squad ready for this kind of match. In his view, the team had laid the foundations for a promising group last season.

The Argentina defender also urged the club to look beyond the coach and players. “Tonight it is easy to say the coach, easy to say the players but also we have to see other areas,” he said. Calling the performance “really poor”, he said he had to control himself, while describing the match as a reflection of the club’s current state. He said he was annoyed and disappointed not to see his team try to achieve an important result.

Martínez also challenged the club’s approach to its coaching staff. “You can’t keep changing, changing, changing the manager. What about other areas?” he said. Asked about the defender’s comments, Michael Carrick said he had not seen the interview and had only heard part of it. He pointed to the emotions of the match and said he wanted to find out more before deciding whether anything would be done.

Carrick defended his players, calling them “great”, and said his side had created “four almost one vs ones”. He also said he did not understand Leny Yoro’s red card. Last season, Manchester United won 12 of their 17 games under Carrick; during the summer, the club then made three major signings, while the team has won only twice in all competitions so far this season. Martínez said the manager had not been backed sufficiently and noted that opponents adapt: “You can’t stay with what you did last season.”