Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has criticised the club’s hierarchy for failing to strengthen the squad sufficiently after their return to the Champions League.
United’s 2-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid on Tuesday extended their winless run to five matches. Their last victory came against Azerbaijan champions Sabah FK on 10 September, while their only other win this season was against newly promoted Ipswich at Old Trafford, where they had to recover from a goal behind.
United finished third in the Premier League last season to secure Champions League football 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 because many teams bring many players as well,” said Martinez.
“Atletico have an amazing team and they deserved to win today.
“I expect more [investment]. 100%. I expect more from our technical director [Jason Wilcox].
“I have to be honest, 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.
“Tonight it is easy to [blame] the coach, easy to say the players but also we have to see other areas.”
The need for further recruitment has been raised by outside observers and by some people within Old Trafford. United spent £155m on three midfielders during the summer, but did not add a striker to support Benjamin Sesko or provide competition for Luke Shaw at left-back.
Minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe watched from the Metropolitano Stadium alongside United chief executive Omar Berrada.
“You can’t keep changing, changing, changing the manager,” Martinez added. “What about other areas? I can’t say more.
“Last season we did everything, we created the base to create an amazing team.”
His comments recall criticism aimed at the Tottenham board last season by his Argentina defensive team-mate Cristian Romero, who was in Atletico’s team against United after moving to Spain during the summer.
Martinez has one year remaining on his Manchester United contract and has not agreed an extension.
Rooney says comments could damage dressing room
Former Manchester United players Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young were in Madrid for the match and both criticised Martinez’s remarks while discussing them on Amazon Prime.
“Something like that will rip that dressing room apart,” said Rooney, who recalled publicly criticising the club in 2010 before apologising after a strong response from manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
“It is disrespectful to his team-mates,” Rooney said. “He is saying his team-mates aren’t good enough.
“Bruno [Fernandes is] the only one with any right to say that. Behind closed doors, it happens – but that interview isn’t going to help.
“I don’t think he has connected with fans, but with the injuries he hasn’t really paid his money back. He has tried to speak on behalf of the players but done it the wrong way.
“It looks like a player trying to look after himself. It was very pre-meditated. It is sad because you need everyone to stick together, you need to be as one.”
Manager Michael Carrick was asked about the comments on live television and later faced questions from three reporters at his post-match news conference.
“I haven’t seen the interview,” he said. “I’ve half heard about it. It’s a bit about the emotions of the game.
“Straight after the game is not the time to talk about that interview and I can’t really comment on that. It’s important for us to move forward quickly.
“As group, I don’t doubt the togetherness and us wanting to win. I know results-wise, it’s easy to look and think there’s something deeply wrong, but the players have been great in their willing.”
Asked if he would speak to Martinez, Carrick replied: “I need to find out a bit more about it before I can say if and what is going to be done.”
