'We expect more from the top' – Martinez slams Man Utd hierarchy after Atletico defeat

Lisandro Martinez launched a scathing review of the Manchester United hierarchy, saying Michael Carrick does not have a team capable of competing in the Champions League.

Martinez's rant came in the wake of a 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, a match that saw the LaLiga giants take the lead after 47 seconds through Pablo Barrios. 

It was the fourth time – and the first time since November 2002 against Basel – that United had conceded inside the opening minute of a Champions League encounter. 

Carrick's side responded well to going behind, with Bryan Mbeumo, Marcus Rashford and Carlos Baleba all spurning good chances to equalise during an open first half. 

But United's task was made even more difficult when Leny Yoro was sent off for a last-man foul on Jonathan David, and Atletico made their numerical advantage count in the 79th minute when Ademola Lookman finished past Senne Lammens on the rebound. 

The Red Devils have now lost three of their last five games in all competitions (D2), as many as in their previous 21 games under Carrick (W14 D4), with their last victory coming against Azerbaijani minnows Sabah on MD1 of the Champions League. 

However, Martinez pointed the finger towards technical director Jason Wilcox and the owners of United, saying his team were not backed in the transfer window across all areas of their team, with Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Baleba their only notable arrivals this summer. 

"Really poor. Really poor. I have to control myself a lot, but sometimes it is a reflection of the mirror of how our club is at the moment," Martinez told Amazon Prime. 

"We had 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.

"Atletico have an amazing team, and they deserve to win. I expect more [investment]. 100%. I expect more from our technical director [Jason Wilcox].

"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."

When questioned about what areas should be strengthened, Martinez added: "In general. Last season we did everything; we created the base to create an amazing team.

"It is annoying, disappointing coming here, and I am not seeing my team trying to get an amazing result here."

United's five-game winless run across all competitions is their longest since a six-game streak in January 2025 (D2 L4), putting Carrick under pressure. 

A testing trip to rivals Leeds United is on the horizon for the Red Devils, but Martinez leapt to the defence of his boss, suggesting other parts of the club need to change. 

"I don't think so. He does his best," Martinez said when asked if the problem was Carrick not being backed. "Every season is different. You can't stay with what you did last season.

"The teams know how you play; they know every detail. If you don't change, next season is a big problem.

"You can't keep changing, changing, changing the manager. What about other areas? I can't say more.

"It is easy to say the coach, easy to say the players, but also we have to see other areas."