Martinez criticises Man Utd board after Atletico defeat

What the report says

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has publicly criticised the club’s leadership after a 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, according to BBC Sport Football. Speaking after the match at the Metropolitano Stadium on Tuesday, Martinez said United needed more backing in the transfer market after qualifying for Europe’s top competition and argued that the squad had not been strengthened enough for the demands of the season.

The comments came as United’s poor run continued. The loss to Atletico left them without a win in five matches, with their last victory coming against Sabah FK on 10 September. BBC Sport noted that United’s other win this season was against newly promoted Ipswich, in a game they had to recover from behind. United finished third in the Premier League last season to secure a return to the Champions League for the first time in three years.

Martinez pointed to the size and depth of rival squads, saying more competition was needed across the team. BBC Sport reported that the lack of attacking cover for Benjamin Sesko and backup at left-back for Luke Shaw had already been raised by observers, while United spent about £155m on three midfielders during the summer window.

The defender’s remarks add pressure on the club’s hierarchy, including minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and chief executive Omar Berrarda, who were both in attendance. Martinez, who has one year left on his contract, said responsibility also lay with the players but stressed that structural decisions beyond the manager needed scrutiny.