Manchester United defender Lisandro Martínez has criticised the club’s hierarchy over what he considers inadequate investment in the squad after the English side suffered a 2-0 defeat to Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League in Madrid, Spain, on Tuesday, 13 October 2026.

Also read: Former England Youth Star Iroegbunam Closes In on Nigeria Move

The Argentina international called on Manchester United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, to strengthen the squad, arguing that the responsibility for the club’s disappointing performances should not rest solely with manager Michael Carrick and the players.

Speaking to Amazon Prime after the match at the Metropolitano Stadium, Martínez described United’s performance as poor and questioned whether the club’s leadership had done enough to build a team capable of competing at the highest level.

“Really poor. Really poor,” Martínez said.

He added that the defeat reflected wider concerns about the club’s current situation, insisting that the team needed greater support from those responsible for recruitment and squad planning.

“We did a fantastic season last season and now we expect more from the top, more players to compete because many teams bring many players as well,” he said.

Martínez acknowledged Atlético Madrid’s quality, admitting that the Spanish side deserved the victory, but maintained that Manchester United should have done more to strengthen their squad during the summer transfer window.

“Atlético have an amazing team and they deserve to win today,” he said.

“But I expect more [investment]. 100%. I expect more from our technical director [Jason Wilcox].”

The defender also accepted that the players needed to improve their performances but argued that squad depth was essential for teams seeking to compete consistently in demanding European fixtures.

“As players we have to do more, but it is also important when you make a strong squad to be ready for this kind of night,” Martínez said.

His comments extended beyond recruitment, with the Argentine questioning the tendency to focus on managerial changes whenever results deteriorate.

“You can’t keep changing, changing, changing the manager. What about other areas?” he asked.

“Tonight it is easy to say the coach, easy to say the players but also we have to see other areas.”

Martínez’s remarks amounted to a public challenge to Manchester United’s leadership, as the defender sought to shift attention towards the club’s wider football operations rather than placing the burden entirely on Carrick.

The defender also expressed disappointment at the team’s performance in Madrid, saying the foundations established during the previous season should have provided a platform for further progress.

“Last season we did everything, we created the base to create an amazing team,” he said.

The comments came amid scrutiny of Manchester United’s summer recruitment. According to ESPN, the club spent approximately £150m on new signings during the transfer window, a figure Martínez believes should be considered alongside the investment made by rival teams.

The defeat to Atlético added to United’s recent difficulties, increasing pressure on Carrick as the team attempts to regain consistency in European competition.

Carrick, however, declined to respond directly to Martínez’s criticism, saying he had not watched the interview and did not consider the immediate aftermath of the match the right time to comment.

“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,” Carrick said.

“I have not seen it so I don’t think it is the right time.”

The manager also defended the unity and commitment of his squad, insisting that disappointing results did not necessarily reflect a breakdown in the dressing room.

“We all care and show that in different ways but now is the time to be together and work through,” he said.

“As a group, I don’t doubt the togetherness or their wanting to win. Looking at the results, you could be saying it’s deeply wrong, but that’s not been the case.”

Carrick added that the players had been determined to secure a positive result against Atlético, despite the eventual defeat.

“The players have been great, results haven’t, and they were desperate to get something out of the game,” he said.

Martínez’s intervention has brought renewed attention to Manchester United’s recruitment strategy and the balance of responsibility between the manager, players and club executives.

While the defender has called for greater investment, Carrick has urged the squad to remain united and work through the difficult period.

Also read: Former England Youth Star Iroegbunam Closes In on Nigeria Move

How the club responds to the criticism, both on the pitch and in its recruitment decisions, will be closely watched as Manchester United seek to improve their results.