What did Lisandro Martinez say about Manchester United’s technical director?

After United’s 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid, Martinez said he expected more from technical director Jason Wilcox. He argued that the club needed a stronger squad to compete in matches like this.

Why does Lisandro Martinez want Manchester United to sign more players?

Martinez said United needed more players to compete with rivals and build a squad capable of handling demanding matches. He also noted that other teams were strengthening their squads.

How did Manchester United lose to Atletico Madrid?

Atletico scored through Pablo Barrios in the opening minute and Ademola Lookman in the 79th. United’s task became harder when Leny Yoro was sent off.

Lisandro Martinez questions Manchester United hierarchy: ‘I expect more from our technical director’

Lisandro Martinez did not hide his frustration after the loss, admitting that the club needs to bring in more players to keep pace with their rivals.

Updated on: Oct 14, 2026, 08:21:11 IST

Written by HT Sports Desk

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Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez didn't hold back after his team's 0-2 loss against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. This result adds to United’s struggles, as they have not won any of their last five matches. The pressure is growing on manager Michael Carrick, who now faces tough questions about his future.

Lisandro Martinez demands more signings as Manchester United's slump continues. (AFP)

Atletico took control of the game in the opening minute itself with Pablo Barrios opening the scoring at the Metropolitano, while Ademola Lookman's strike in the 79th minute sealed the win for Atletico. Man United were definitely the inferior side on the field and Leny Yoro getting sent off made it worse for them.

Lisandro did not hide his frustration after the loss, admitting that the club needs to bring in more players to keep pace with their rivals. The defender acknowledged that United had enjoyed a fantastic season last time around, but believes more needs to be done to help the team.

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“I have to control myself a lot. But sometimes it’s a reflection in the mirror of how is our club at the moment,” Martinez told Amazon Prime. “We did a fantastic season last season. And now we expect more from the top, from up, to bring more players to compete because many teams bring many players as well, and today also Atletico they have an amazing team and they deserved to win today," he addedCup-winning defender didn't this time aroundshy away from singling out the club's director of football Jason Wilcox, saying United needed more signings to compete in Champions League.

“I expect more from our technical director. I would have to be honest, as the players, we have to do more, but it’s just important when you make a strong squad to be ready for this kind of night," he added.

Also Read - UCL: Barcelona, Arsenal cruise; Bayern Munich stunned and Manchester United's slump continues

Martinez disappointed

Manchester United spent about 213 million USD on players such as Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans, and Andrey Santos during the summer transfer window. However, the team has had a tough start to the season.

Martinez also criticised United’s performance, saying the team built a strong foundation last season but did not show the same determination against Atletico Madrid.

“Last season we did everything, we create the base to be an amazing team,” Martinez said. “It's annoying, disappointing to come here and I'm not seeing my team trying to get an amazing result here, it's disappointing.”

“You start changing, changing, changing manager. But what about other areas?” Martinez said. “I can’t say more.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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