The Argentine defender criticized director of football Jason Wilcox and called for stronger recruitment after United lost 2-0 in Madrid, extending their winless run to five matches.
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martínez publicly criticized the club’s leadership and transfer strategy following a 2-0 Champions League defeat to Atlético Madrid on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. The Argentine international singled out director of football Jason Wilcox and questioned whether the club had done enough to strengthen its squad during the summer transfer window.
The defeat at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid extended United’s winless run to five matches across all competitions. Pablo Barrios scored inside the opening minute before Ademola Lookman added a second goal following the dismissal of United defender Leny Yoro.
Martínez expressed frustration with both the team’s performance and the decisions made by senior officials. He acknowledged that players must take responsibility but argued that United needed greater investment to compete against stronger opponents.
Martínez Demands More From Club Leadership
Speaking after the match, Martínez said Manchester United had failed to build sufficiently on the progress made during the previous season. He argued that the club needed additional quality in its squad to compete in the Champions League.
“I expect more from our technical director,” Martínez said, referring to Wilcox.
The defender also acknowledged the shortcomings of the players, saying they needed to contribute more themselves. However, he maintained that building a competitive squad was also the responsibility of those overseeing recruitment.
His remarks represented an unusually public challenge to United’s transfer strategy from a senior player. Footballers often express disappointment after defeats, but Martínez specifically identified a club executive while discussing the team’s problems.
The Argentine also defended manager Michael Carrick, suggesting the coach had not received enough support in the transfer market.
Martínez questioned the repeated changes in United’s management and argued that other areas of the club deserved greater attention. His comments suggested that replacing coaches could not solve every problem affecting the team’s performances.
United enjoyed a more successful period under Carrick during the previous season, winning 12 of his 17 matches in charge. However, the team’s disappointing start to the current campaign has placed the manager under renewed scrutiny.
Atlético Takes Control With Early Goal
United entered Tuesday’s Champions League match hoping to end a difficult run of results. Instead, Atlético Madrid took the lead almost immediately.
Alex Baena broke into space on the right and delivered a pass across the penalty area. Barrios arrived to finish the move, putting the home side ahead within the first minute.
The goal exposed problems in United’s defensive organization. Atlético found space behind the visitors’ back line and quickly turned an early attacking opportunity into a lead.
United attempted to respond through Marcus Rashford, Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes. Atlético goalkeeper Jan Oblak made several important interventions to preserve his team’s advantage.
Mbeumo forced Oblak into a save with his foot, while Fernandes later struck the crossbar following a corner routine. Those opportunities prevented Atlético from controlling the match completely, although United could not turn their possession into an equalizer.
Atlético also threatened to extend its lead. Julián Álvarez struck the post during the second half, and Baena tested United goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
The match changed significantly when Yoro was sent off in the second half following a challenge involving Atlético substitute Jonathan David.
Referee Glenn Nyberg initially awarded a free kick to United after the incident. However, a video assistant referee review led him to examine the challenge again on the pitchside monitor.
Nyberg reversed his original decision and showed Yoro a straight red card. The dismissal left United with 10 players for the closing stages.
Carrick strongly disagreed with the decision, questioning whether the contact justified a sending-off. The incident became another source of frustration for United, although the visitors were already trailing when it occurred.
Atlético took advantage of the numerical superiority. David forced a save from Lammens, and Lookman reacted quickly to score from the rebound in the 79th minute.
The second goal secured a 2-0 victory for Diego Simeone’s team and left United facing further questions about its form.
Summer Transfer Spending Comes Under Scrutiny
Martínez’s criticism followed a summer in which Manchester United made several additions but did not undertake the extensive rebuilding some supporters had expected.
The club’s major signings included midfielders Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans. Veteran goalkeeper Karl Darlow also joined on a free transfer.
Reports placed United’s summer spending at approximately £150 million, although totals vary depending on which fees and potential bonuses are included.
Despite those additions, Martínez suggested the club had not sufficiently strengthened the squad for European competition.
The defender’s comments reflected his concern that United had failed to capitalize on the foundation established during the previous season. He argued that opponents were increasingly familiar with the team’s approach and that the club needed to adapt.
Martínez also emphasized the importance of competing with teams that continually improve their squads. He pointed toward Atlético as an example of the level of opposition United must be prepared to face in the Champions League.
Wilcox joined Manchester United as technical director in April 2024 and later became director of football. His responsibilities include helping shape the club’s football operations and recruitment strategy.
The position carries considerable influence over long-term squad planning. However, transfer decisions involve multiple club officials and are not determined by Wilcox alone.
United have not announced any immediate change to their recruitment policy following Martínez’s comments.
Carrick Calls for Focus After Defeat
Carrick responded cautiously when asked about Martínez’s criticism during his post-match media appearance.
The manager indicated that he had not seen the full interview and did not want to react immediately to comments made in the emotional aftermath of a defeat.
He emphasized that the team needed to remain united and focus on improving its performances. Carrick also defended the commitment of his players despite the disappointing result.
The manager’s response avoided directly challenging Martínez or entering a public disagreement over transfer decisions.
Carrick has faced increasing pressure following United’s difficult beginning to the 2026-27 season. The club has won only two of its opening nine matches across all competitions and sits 13th in the Premier League.
Tuesday’s defeat added to a winless sequence that included losses to Manchester City and Brighton, followed by draws with Fulham and Tottenham.
United have also struggled to maintain consistent attacking performances. The team created opportunities against Atlético but failed to convert them, while defensive lapses contributed to the loss.
Those weaknesses have renewed questions about whether the squad has enough depth and balance to compete domestically and in Europe.
Questions Over Manchester United’s Direction
Martínez’s remarks place the spotlight on a wider issue at Old Trafford: how responsibility for poor results should be divided between players, coaching staff and club executives.
The defender made clear that the players were not exempt from criticism. His central argument was that improvement also depended on recruitment and stability beyond the dressing room.
His public support for Carrick was particularly significant because managerial changes have been a recurring feature of United’s recent history.
Martínez suggested that changing managers repeatedly could distract from problems elsewhere in the club. He argued that the organization needed to address its broader football strategy rather than expecting a new coach to solve every difficulty.
That position does not remove responsibility from Carrick for team selection, tactics or results. However, it reflects a belief that the manager’s success depends partly on the resources provided by the club.
United’s return to Champions League football was expected to provide an opportunity to build on last season’s progress. The defeat in Madrid instead exposed weaknesses against one of Europe’s established competitors.
Atlético, meanwhile, collected an important victory after losing its opening Champions League match against Liverpool.
United now face a demanding sequence of fixtures that will test their ability to respond to the disappointing result.
The club travels to Leeds United for a Premier League match on Sunday, October 18, before visiting Italian side Como in the Champions League the following week.
Yoro’s red card also creates a disciplinary concern ahead of the next European fixture, with the defender facing suspension following his dismissal.
For Carrick, the immediate priority is ending United’s five-match winless streak and restoring confidence within the squad.
For Wilcox and the club’s leadership, Martínez’s comments have brought recruitment decisions and long-term planning into public discussion.
United’s next matches will provide an opportunity to improve results on the pitch, but the questions raised by Martínez concern decisions that extend well beyond Tuesday’s defeat in Madrid.
IMAGE: Martínez em entrevista ao canal do NOB quando era jogador do clube.. Photo: Newell’s Old Boys / Wikimedia, taken 2016-08-09, CC BY 3.0