Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has criticised the club’s board over a perceived lack of investment this summer, after his side lost 2-0 to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday.
United have not won in five matches across all competitions, and the defeat in the Spanish capital came as they recorded their worst start to a league season in 40 years. Minority owner Jim Ratcliffe was at the stadium to watch the league-phase game against last season’s semi-finalists.
Martinez says performance mirrors the club
Speaking in a television interview, Martinez called United’s display against Atletico “really poor”. He said he had to control himself, adding that the performance sometimes reflected how the club currently stands.
Martinez said he “100 percent” expected more investment in the squad over the summer, even though United finished third in the Premier League last season and returned to Europe’s top competition. He said he expected more from technical director Jason Wilcox, while accepting that players also had to do more.
Carrick and players under scrutiny after five games
Pressure is growing on head coach Michael Carrick after the run of five games without a win. Martinez, however, suggested that sacking the Englishman would not solve the problem, asking what about other areas of the club.
United spent around 140 million pounds ($185m) this summer on midfielders Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos. Supporters were unhappy, though, that other positions, including left-back and striker, were not strengthened.
Reaction from Carrick and Wayne Rooney
Carrick told reporters he had not heard Martinez’s comments and could not judge them. He said the remarks may have been influenced by the emotions of the game and the disappointment of leaving without a result.
Former United and England striker Wayne Rooney said Martinez had gone too far and that the criticism should have stayed within the club. Rooney added that Martinez clearly cares about investment in the squad, and suggested he could be among the players to leave if the club did invest.
