Martinez faces fine after publicly blaming Man Utd technical director for squad failures

Lisandro Martinez is set to be fined by Manchester United after publicly criticising technical director Jason Wilcox following the club’s 2-0 Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night, with punishment described as near-inevitable.

The Argentine centre-back made no attempt to soften his words in post-match interviews, arguing that the squad had not been strengthened sufficiently heading into a Champions League campaign. Crucially, he named Wilcox directly. “I expect more from our technical director,” Martinez said. “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 comments follow a summer in which United spent £155 million on three new midfielders after their third-place finish under Michael Carrick last season, but left the defensive unit largely unchanged. The club also pulled out of moves for Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes over price, and failed to sign left-back target Lewis Hall.

Martinez had framed his criticism partly as a defence of Carrick, telling Amazon Prime Video: “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.” The Athletic reports that his frustrations are shared by some players at Old Trafford, even if none have spoken as openly.

Carrick, placed in an awkward position, declined to address Martinez’s remarks in detail, suggesting “emotion” had played a part. The manager’s measured response did little to defuse the situation.

Martinez is considered unlikely to start against Leeds on Sunday as a direct consequence of the outburst. The episode also deepens uncertainty over his long-term future, with his contract due to expire at the end of the season. The defender has a history of voicing displeasure internally at Carrington and previously clashed with former head coach Ruben Amorim over selection decisions, but Tuesday’s public broadside represents a significant escalation.