Martinez blasts United hierarchy after Champions League loss, Merson hits back

Lisandro Martinez sparked a fierce internal debate at Manchester United after publicly criticising director of football Jason Wilcox and the club’s hierarchy in the wake of a 2-0 Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.

Speaking to Prime Video after the final whistle, a visibly angry Martinez said United lacked ambition in the transfer market and questioned the club’s readiness for European competition. “I expect more from our technical director, I have to be honest,” he said, adding that the squad does not compare favourably with other top teams and that the players appear to lack “belief” and “energy.”

Martinez also appeared to question the club’s repeated managerial changes, saying: “Changing, changing, changing manager? What about other areas? It’s easy to blame the coach, it’s easy to blame the players, but what about other areas?”

When asked directly whether head coach Michael Carrick had been sufficiently backed in the summer transfer window, the Argentine defender was blunt: “I don’t think so.”

The comments drew an immediate response from former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson, who rejected the suggestion that United do not belong in the Champions League. “They’re one of the biggest clubs in the world of football,” Merson said. “You can’t really say that. There’s a lot lesser clubs in that Champions League than Manchester United.”

Merson also turned the spotlight back on Martinez’s own performance, pointing to the defender’s role in the defeat. “He’s the one who lost Solanke, he’s the one who lost him in the box. I’ve never heard that from a professional footballer.”

Martinez may face internal disciplinary action as a result of the outburst, with reports suggesting the remarks have caused a split within the club.