Manchester United
Martínez faces fallout after explosive Manchester United criticism
Martínez’s sharp post-match comments have triggered anger inside United and raised fresh doubts about his future.
Lisandro Martínez has put himself at the centre of a serious Manchester United problem after a furious response to Tuesday’s Champions League defeat to Atlético Madrid. His remarks did not just take aim at the display on the pitch, but also appeared to question the club’s direction at senior level and the standards of several teammates.
“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.
“Changing, changing, changing manager? What about other areas? I can’t say more. It’s easy to blame the coach, it’s easy to blame the players, but what about other areas?”
That final line was delivered with his index finger raised, a gesture that seemed pointed toward those above him. He later repeated the theme in comments to CBS.
The reaction inside the club has reportedly been severe. Sky Sports said “at least one other player” confronted Martínez on the flight back to Manchester, while “anger and bemusement” was said to have spread through the hierarchy and the dressing room. Amad Diallo added to the tension with an ambiguous Snapchat post: “I have no words. F—ing disgrace.”
Wayne Rooney was equally direct on Prime Video. “Something like that will rip that dressing room apart.” He added: “It looks like that was a bit of an agenda [from Martínez] … he’s wanted to say that, because that doesn’t mirror the performance. I thought the performance was better. It’s a bit disrespectful to his teammates as well. He is disrespecting his teammates because he’s saying the team isn’t good enough.” Rooney also argued that “Bruno [Fernandes] is the only one who has any right to come out and say anything like that as captain. Even then, it should be behind closed doors.”
The timing is awkward for Martínez, who was already keen to leave during the 2026 summer window and had Atlético Madrid as his preferred destination. He is now in the final year of his deal, with United holding an option to extend it to 2028, although The Athletic said “The prospect of him extending terms in the wake of his interviews is remote in the extreme.”
The report also says it is “inevitable that Martínez will be fined” and a January sale may now be a realistic outcome.
Manchester United
Martínez softens stance after United row, but questions remain
Martínez apologises after his rant, but United’s deeper problems remain unresolved this season.
Lisandro Martínez has moved quickly to calm the fallout from his explosive criticism of Manchester United, issuing a new statement after what he described as a “positive conversation” with Michael Carrick and the club’s leadership.
The defender’s earlier rant had placed his future under fresh scrutiny, particularly with his contract due to expire at the end of the season, although United retain the option to extend it by a further year. The initial reaction was severe, and Martínez followed it with a lengthy social media post in which he expanded on his frustration and accepted responsibility for the team’s failure to deliver on the pitch.
Less than a day later, his Instagram story carried a far more conciliatory tone.
“Today I met with the club’s leadership and the manager,” he wrote. “It was a very positive conversation, where we were able to exchange views and speak openly about what happened after the game.
“Everyone knows that I am a passionate person and that I live football with great intensity. The frustration of the defeat led me to express how I felt at a time and place that perhaps were not the right ones, and for that I want to apologize.
“Our club is at its best when we are all united, and I recognize that my words in that moment did not help with that. I know that every single person at Manchester United is doing everything possible to achieve our shared ambition: bringing the success that this club and its supporters deserve.
“With this situation now behind us, we are fully focused on winning together.”
The new statement was clearly intended to restore unity after Martínez’s public criticism of the club’s hierarchy. Even so, the underlying concerns have not disappeared. United’s summer business was heavily weighted towards midfield, while defensive reinforcements were left out.
That decision has been reflected on the pitch. United have conceded in all but one of their nine matches across all competitions this season, with their only clean sheet coming against Champions League debutants Sabah in September. Their midfield additions have also struggled to settle, while the side remain winless in their last five matches.
A punishment for Martínez would not have been a surprise, but with the matter apparently resolved, Carrick now has a decision to make over his selection for this weekend.
Manchester United
Martínez clarifies remarks after United’s defeat as pressure and uncertainty build
Martínez explains his post-defeat remarks, stressing unity, ambition and responsibility at United.
Lisandro Martínez has moved to explain the comments he made immediately after Manchester United’s Champions League defeat to Atlético Madrid, saying his message was always about the need to go on together with belief and discipline.
In a written Instagram story, the defender said his remarks came from “anger and frustration” after a disappointing result. He insisted the reaction should not be taken as a rejection of the dressing room or the club’s staff.
“Those who know me know how I live football, with passion, commitment and a huge desire to win. And when things don’t go our way, it hurts, especially when representing a club with the history and stature of Manchester United ,” he said.
Martínez added that his words were driven by his standards and the expectation that comes with the badge. “My words reflect how I feel and how much I want to see this club competing for the biggest honors. Those high standards are part of how I see football and the responsibility that comes with wearing this shirt.”
The 2022 World Cup winner also said “wanting more” means accepting the “ambition we must all have as part of this club. To keep growing, to become stronger and to have everything we need to compete at the highest level. These are standards we must all hold ourselves to, starting with me.”
Martínez then addressed the broader state of the squad, saying: “I know that, first and foremost, it’s us, the players, who have to deliver, and I put myself at the front of that responsibility. We need to demand even more of ourselves and work together to take Manchester United back to the top.
“I believe in my teammates, our manager and everyone working to help this club move forward. I’m convinced that the way forward is to keep working together, with ambition and commitment. My goal has been the same since day one, to win, to compete at the highest level and to give everything I have for this badge.”
The defender’s future remains uncertain. His contract expires next summer, though it includes an option for another 12 months until 2028. The Athletic says he does not want an extension beyond this season and would still prefer a move to Spain after an unfulfilled desire to join Atlético Madrid in the summer. United are said to have similar doubts, while his camp insists the latest comments were not intended to force a departure.
Manchester United
How Wilcox’s Manchester United signings stack up after a turbulent start
Wilcox’s United signings are already under scrutiny, with some looking shaky and others showing real promise.
Jason Wilcox has now overseen eight first-team arrivals since taking over as Manchester United’s director of football in June 2025, and the verdict on that group is already being tested by events on the pitch.
A poor start to the 2026-27 season brought fresh scrutiny after defeat to Atlético Madrid in the Champions League, when Lisandro Martínez delivered a pointed post-match criticism of United’s recruitment. “I expect more from our technical director [Wilcox],” Martínez fumed. “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.”
From there, the signings can be grouped from least convincing to most encouraging.
Karl Darlow sits near the bottom of the list. Signed on a free transfer as cover after United tired of André Onana and Altay Bayındır’s mistakes, the 36-year-old has made only one competitive appearance. That outing came in a 3-2 home defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion, and his role now looks restricted to domestic cups until his contract ends in 2028.
Andrey Santos remains difficult to judge. Bought for $64.3 million in July, he has started only three competitive matches and looks set for a marginal role in midfield. He brings versatility, but the sample size is still too small to draw firm conclusions.
Youri Tielemans arrived for $47 million and offered experience and technical quality, but his early months have been uneven. His lack of mobility and physicality has not always suited Kobbie Mainoo, and United may need to rethink that partnership.
Benjamin Šeško has given far more reason for optimism. Signed for $89 million, he scored 11 Premier League goals in 30 appearances, starting 17, despite injury interruptions. His pace, strength and decisive finishing have already made an impression.
Carlos Baleba may yet climb even higher. United waited for his valuation to fall before paying $96 million in the 2026 summer window, and although injury delayed his debut, his stamina, reading of the game and ball-winning ability fit the midfield profile the club needs.
Matheus Cunha rounds out the assessment strongly. After a season of positional changes and adaptation following his $85 million move from Wolverhampton Wanderers, he finished with 10 Premier League goals and two assists, including three goals in his final four matches. There are still questions over his best role, but the early return has been positive.
