Spanish and Portuguese media savage 'rudderless' United after Atletico humiliation

Manchester United’s 2-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium extended their winless run to five matches and prompted a wave of damning verdicts from Spanish and Portuguese media, with several outlets questioning whether the club has any coherent direction under Michael Carrick.

Pablo Barrios set the tone by scoring inside the opening minute, and although Bruno Fernandes struck the crossbar to keep United in contention, the night unravelled when Leny Yoro was sent off and substitute Ademola Lookman added a second to seal a comfortable win for Diego Simeone’s side.

Spanish newspaper AS was among the most cutting, describing United as a “rudderless giant” and “a shadow of the side of the Ferguson era.” The publication wrote that United “looked destined to be attacked,” lacked “colour and substance,” and highlighted a dangerous over-reliance on Fernandes: “Everything in Carrick’s team depends on Bruno.”

Marca handed low ratings to the majority of the United squad and to Carrick himself, while Mundo Deportivo reported that United “threw in the towel after the second goal” as Atletico eased through the closing stages.

Radio station Cope went further in its tactical critique, arguing that Carrick’s decision to reinforce the midfield at the expense of attacking intent backfired immediately. “Given United’s current struggles, such a self-defeating start prompts deeper reflection and fuels a lack of confidence,” it wrote, also noting that Matheus Cunha was left on the bench while the defensive shape was exposed by the early concession.

The same outlet did find one bright spot, praising Bryan Mbeumo as the “driving force of the Red Devils’ attack,” though it still described Fernandes as “inconsequential at times.”

Portuguese publication A Bola was equally blunt, noting that United had never beaten Atletico and were even less equipped to do so now: “They are far behind, in many aspects, the team managed by Diego Simeone.” It also questioned Carrick’s decision to deploy Fernandes wide, arguing it left United with only 42 per cent possession against a side not known for dominating the ball — a statistic it said “reveals some structural problems.”

Adding to the turbulence, Lisandro Martinez launched a public attack on the club’s hierarchy, directing his frustration at director of football Jason Wilcox over what he described as insufficient backing for Carrick in the summer transfer window. “I expect more from our technical director,” Martinez said — a comment that received widespread coverage across both Spain and Portugal.