Martinez attacks Man Utd board after Atletico defeat
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez launched a fierce attack on the club board following a 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid and a five-game winless run.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Lisandro Martinez criticized Manchester United's hierarchy after a 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid on October 13, 2026.
- United are now on a five-game winless streak and have won only two of their nine matches across all competitions this season.
- Pundits Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young claimed Martinez crossed a line and risked fracturing the dressing room harmony.
- The club spent £155m on three midfielders in the summer while failing to recruit a striker and a left-back.
Manchester United faced renewed turmoil as defender Lisandro Martinez launched a blistering public attack on the club's board following their 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano Stadium on October 13, 2026. The loss extended the Red Devils' winless run to five consecutive matches in all competitions.
Michael Carrick's side is enduring a challenging spell, with their most recent victory coming against Azerbaijani champions Sabah FK on September 10. Their only other win in nine matches this season was a comeback victory against newly promoted Ipswich Town at Old Trafford.
United secured a third-place finish in the Premier League last term to return to the Champions League for the first time in three years, after winning 12 of Carrick's 17 games in interim charge following Ruben Amorim's dismissal in January, which earned Carrick a permanent two-year contract.
Speaking to Amazon Prime after the match, Martinez expressed frustration over a lack of squad investment, directly targeting technical director Jason Wilcox and stating he expected 100% more backing. He emphasized that despite last season's success, rival teams have heavily reinforced their squads while United fell short.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
"Something like that will rip that dressing room apart... Bruno [Fernandes] is the only one with any right to say that."
Wayne Rooney
Martinez's comments mirrored external criticisms regarding United's summer transfer window, where the club spent £155m on three midfielders without securing striking support for Benjamin Sesko or left-back competition for Luke Shaw. Minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and chief executive Omar Berrada were present in the stadium to witness the match.
Publicly criticizing club management is a rare and high-risk move for a professional footballer, especially at a club under as much scrutiny as Manchester United. Following successive managerial departures under Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim, pressure has mounted significantly. While Martinez's comments highlight internal frustrations over squad depth, analysts warn that airing such grievances publicly can strain relationships with the executive team and teammates alike.
Former United players Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young, working as pundits for Amazon Prime in Madrid, argued that Martinez went too far. Rooney, recalling his own public criticism of the club in 2010 which prompted a stern rebuke from Sir Alex Ferguson, stated that such remarks risked tearing the dressing room apart.
Meanwhile, Youri Tielemans, signed from Aston Villa for £35m in July, declined to comment on the situation when approached by broadcasters. Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told BBC Radio 5 Live that while he understood Martinez's desire for honesty, the timing of his comments amid mounting pressure on the club was questionable.
Source: BBC Sport
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