Martinez Blasts Manchester United Hierarchy After 2-0 Atletico Loss, Targeting Jason Wilcox
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Oct 15
Martinez Blasts Manchester United Hierarchy After 2-0 Atletico Loss, Targeting Jason Wilcox
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Oct 15
Summary
Three minutes of post-match TV were enough for Lisandro Martinez to turn Manchester United’s 2-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid into a public attack on the club’s leadership and director of football Jason Wilcox.
Martinez said United are “far from the top” and need more players, arguing the squad was left short after summer recruitment strengthened midfield but failed to adequately address defence, left-back and centre-forward.
The outburst came after a match in which Leny Yoro was sent off and United played with 10 men, making the timing notable because the performance itself was poor rather than catastrophic.
Instagram comments the next day showed Martinez doubling down, while Wayne Rooney said he partly agreed on the need for investment but warned the interview would only add noise to an already unsettled dressing room.
The episode underscores broader discontent around INEOS-era United, where unpopular ownership decisions, underperformance and questions over recruitment have deepened the sense of dysfunction.