Martinez publicly blames United technical director Wilcox after Champions League humiliation in Madrid

Lisandro Martinez launched a pointed public attack on Manchester United’s technical director Jason Wilcox on Tuesday night, accusing the club’s leadership of failing to back manager Michael Carrick in the transfer market after a 2-0 Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid.

The Argentine defender spoke directly to the camera after the final whistle at the Metropolitano, delivering remarks that will send shockwaves through Old Trafford. United have won just two of their first nine games this season and are winless in their last five, a run that has exposed the limitations of a squad Carrick has been unable to significantly strengthen.

“I have to control myself a lot,” Martinez said. “But sometimes it’s a reflection of the mirror of how is our club at the moment. We did a fantastic season last season. And now we expect more from the top, from up — doing more, signing more players to compete, because many, many teams bring many players as well.”

He then named Wilcox directly. “I expect more from our technical director. I have to be honest. As players, we have to do more, but it’s so important when you make a strong squad to be ready for this kind of night.”

United spent £148 million on midfield reinforcements over the summer but were outspent by several direct rivals, a disparity Martinez appeared to view as a structural failure rather than a footballing one.

The centre-back also offered a carefully worded assessment of Carrick, who guided the club to a third-place finish last season after replacing Ruben Amorim in January. His comments suggested United’s opponents have now adapted to Carrick’s methods.

“He does his best,” Martinez said. “But every season is different. You can’t stay with what you did last season. The teams know how you play, they know every detail, and if you don’t change, the next season is a big problem.”

Martinez closed with a blunt summary of the mood in the dressing room. “It’s annoying, disappointing, coming here and not seeing my team trying to get an amazing result. It’s disappointing.”

The outburst is among the most candid public criticisms of United’s off-field structure by a current player in recent memory, and will increase pressure on Wilcox and the club’s wider leadership to respond ahead of a congested fixture schedule.