Martinez blasts United's technical director after Champions League defeat to Atletico

Lisandro Martinez launched a pointed public attack on Manchester United technical director Jason Wilcox following the club’s Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Spanish capital, saying he “expected more” from the man responsible for recruitment.

Atletico took the lead inside 53 seconds through Pablo Barrios, and while United responded and created chances to level, a red card for Leny Yoro with under 20 minutes remaining allowed the hosts to extend their advantage and seal the win.

Martinez did not hold back in his post-match media duties. “I have to control myself a lot,” he said. “But sometimes it’s a reflection of how our club is at the moment. We did a fantastic season last season, and now we expect more from the top, from above, to bring more players to compete, because many, many teams bring many players in as well, and today Atletico have an amazing team, and they deserved to win today.”

When asked directly whether United had a Champions League-quality squad, the Argentine defender was blunt: “I expected more, honestly. I expected more.”

Pressed to clarify whether he meant investment in the transfer window, Martinez turned his criticism squarely on Wilcox. “Yeah, 100 per cent. I expected more from our technical director. I have to be honest. And also, as players, we have to do more, but it’s also important when you make a strong squad to be ready for these kinds of nights.”

Martinez said the squad needed strengthening across the board. “In general. I think last season we did everything — we created a base to build an amazing team. But this is something to be honest and to prove something. It’s annoying, disappointing, to come here and not see my team trying to get an amazing result. It’s disappointing.”

When asked whether manager Michael Carrick had not been backed sufficiently, Martinez was more measured in his defence of the coach. “I don’t think so. He does his best. But every season is different. You cannot say what you did last season. The teams know how you play, the teams know every detail. And if you don’t change, next season is a big problem. You cannot keep changing manager. What about other areas?”

The outburst marks a significant moment of public discord at Old Trafford, with one of the club’s most influential players openly questioning the decision-making of the recruitment structure ahead of what is shaping up to be a difficult Champions League campaign.