Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has reacted to defender Lisandro Martínez’s criticism of the club’s hierarchy following their 2-0 defeat to Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.
Martínez questioned the club’s summer recruitment strategy, insisting that the management should take responsibility for failing to strengthen the squad sufficiently to compete at the highest level.
Speaking after Tuesday’s encounter in Madrid, the Argentine defender called on United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, to invest more in the team, arguing that the club needed additional quality to compete with Europe’s leading sides.
According to ESPN, Martínez acknowledged that the players also had to improve but maintained that building a stronger squad was essential for success in demanding fixtures.
The defender also defended Carrick, arguing that repeatedly changing managers would not resolve the club’s problems if other areas of its structure were left unaddressed.
“You can’t keep changing, changing, changing the manager. What about other areas?” Martínez said.
Reacting to the comments, Carrick said he had not watched the interview and declined to make a detailed response, noting that players could speak emotionally after disappointing results.
“I haven’t seen it. After a game like this you come here to try and get something from the game and you are disappointed and can be emotional,” the manager said.
Carrick, however, expressed confidence in the unity and commitment of his squad despite their recent struggles.
He insisted that the players remained determined to turn their fortunes around, adding that poor results did not necessarily mean the dressing room lacked togetherness.
“The players have been great, results haven’t, and they were desperate to get something out of the game,” he said.
Manchester United reportedly spent around £150 million on new signings during the summer transfer window, a figure that Martínez believes should have been higher given the club’s ambitions.
The defeat to Atlético Madrid added to the pressure on Carrick, with United struggling to find consistency against the Spanish side.
Atlético took the lead through Pablo Barrios before Jonathan David sealed the victory after coming off the bench, with Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman providing the assist.
United also had to finish the match with 10 men after Leny Yoro was sent off following a VAR review.
With criticism mounting over recruitment and performances on the pitch, United face growing pressure to address their shortcomings as they seek to revive their European campaign.
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