Martinez publicly attacks United executives after Atletico defeat, but Wilcox job remains safe

Lisandro Martinez launched a public attack on Manchester United’s football leadership following Tuesday night’s defeat to Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano, but director of football Jason Wilcox is understood to retain his position despite the fallout.

The Argentine centre-back used his contractual post-match media commitments to accuse the club of lacking ambition in the summer transfer window, telling interviewers he “expected more from our technical director” and suggesting scrutiny should be directed above head coach Michael Carrick rather than at the manager himself.

Martinez’s frustration appears to reflect a broader mood within the squad. United spent £155 million on first-team players this summer — less than newly promoted Ipswich Town and Hull City — and Carrick was left with a single natural left-back in Luke Shaw and a single natural striker in Benjamin Sesko. Both players are now injured.

The summer additions included free-transfer goalkeeper Karl Darlow from Leeds, and midfielders Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans — all three of whom started in Madrid. United also missed out on Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall after making an enquiry too late, once it had become clear Newcastle would not sell.

Despite the public nature of Martinez’s criticism and its apparent resonance inside the dressing room, Wilcox’s position is not considered under threat. The 45-year-old joined Old Trafford as technical director in April 2024 and was promoted to director of football in June 2025, six months after the acrimonious departure of Dan Ashworth.

Wilcox has cultivated a strong working relationship with chief executive Omar Berrada, a connection that dates back to their time together at Manchester City. Crucially, he also enjoys the confidence of co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has publicly praised his football judgement. Both Berrada and Ratcliffe were present at the Metropolitano on Tuesday.

Ratcliffe dismissed Ashworth just four months into his tenure after failing to establish a similar rapport, and there is understood to be a reluctance within the club’s leadership to disrupt the current structure again so soon.

The timing remains uncomfortable, however. Wilcox is a regular presence at Carrington and, alongside Berrada, will be central to any decisions made about Carrick’s future as United’s poor start to the season deepens.