Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez launched an extraordinary attack on the club’s hierarchy after their 2-0 Champions League loss at Atletico Madrid.
In an astonishing post-match interview, the Argentina international criticised the lack of summer investment in the squad.
The defender said he had expected more from “upstairs”, singling out technical director Jason Wilcox, in the most recent transfer window in which they failed to improve their options at left-back and up front.
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“I have to control myself a lot, but sometimes it’s a reflection of how our club is at the moment,” Martinez told Amazon Prime.
“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.”
Asked whether he had expected more investment in the squad in summer, Martinez said: “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.”
Tuesday’s loss in Madrid extended Man Utd’s winless run to five games, piling pressure on boss Michael Carrick.
Asked about Carrick’s future, Martinez replied: “You start changing, changing, changing managers. But what about [moves his eyes upwards] other areas?
“I can’t say more… because also tonight it’s easy to say the coach, it’s easy to say the players. But also we have to look at other areas.”
Carrick and Tielemans asked about Martinez comments
When asked about Martinez’s comments, Carrick told Amazon Prime: “I haven’t seen it.
“After a game like this, you come here to try and get something from the game, and you are disappointed and can be emotional. I have not seen it, so I don’t think it is the right time.
“We all care and show that in different ways, but now is the time to be together and work through.”
Martinez’s team-mate Youri Tielemans, who was one of three summer outfield signings, had “no comment” on the ex-Ajax player’s interview when asked by Amazon Prime.
Rooney heavily criticises Martinez outburst
Manchester United’s all-time leading scorer Wayne Rooney speaking to Amazon Prime:
“It’s a difficult one because I always used to think I was outspoken as a player and you want to have your opinion.
“I think he has maybe gone a bit too far. That’s for the manager, and that should really stay internal.
“The fans want to hear the players speak; they want to hear the players care, so you can clearly see he cares and he wants the team to invest more money, and more players, and to do that he is probably one of the players who is out the door through his performances. His performances haven’t been good enough.
Martinez is in his fifth season at Man Utd
“But I think in some ways he is right in terms of the club needs to invest more, at the top end of the pitch and in defence as well.
“But it looks like that was a bit of an agenda; he’s wanted to say that, because that doesn’t mirror the performance. I thought the performance was better.
“It’s a bit disrespectful to his team-mates as well. He is disrespecting his team-mates because he’s saying the team isn’t good enough.
“Bruno (Fernandes) is the only one who has any right to come out and say anything like that as captain. And even then it should be behind closed doors if there are issues, which does happen.
“Players have conversations with the manager, the manager has conversations with the board, but that interview is not going to help the situation the club are in at the minute.
“That’s going to bring a greater noise around it; the players are not happy, they’re not settled, they don’t trust in their team-mates. That’s not going to help at all.”
Man Utd’s next six fixtures
Leeds (A) – Premier League – Sunday October 18, live on Sky Sports
Como (A) – Champions League – Wednesday October 21
Bournemouth (H) – Premier League – Sunday October 25, live on Sky Sports
Chelsea (A) – Premier League – Saturday October 31
Roma (H) – Champions League – Tuesday November 3
Aston Villa (H) – Premier League – Sunday November 8, live on Sky Sports
