Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has launched a blistering attack on the club's hierarchy for failing to strengthen the squad after qualifying for the Champions League. Tuesday's 2-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid means United have now gone five games without a win.
United finished third in the Premier League last term to seal a Champions League return for the first time in three years. "We did a fantastic season last season and now we expect more from the top, more players to compete," Martinez said. "I expect more [investment]. 100%. I expect more from our technical director [Jason Wilcox]."
Martinez's view has been echoed by many external observers and by some inside Old Trafford. The failure to bring in striking support for Benjamin Sesko and competition at left-back for Luke Shaw have both been highlighted in a summer when United spent £155m on three midfielders. Minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was sat next to United chief executive Omar Berrada in the Metropolitano Stadium on Tuesday.
Former United stars Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young, discussing Martinez's comments on Amazon Prime, said the defender had gone too far. "Something like that will rip that dressing room apart," said Rooney. Captain Bruno Fernandes is the only one with any right to speak out, Rooney argued. Carrick, asked about the interview after the match, said he had not seen it and that the players' togetherness was not in doubt. Martinez has one year left on his United contract and has yet to agree an extension.
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing