Martinez clashes with Man Utd team-mate over Wilcox criticism

Lisandro Martinez reportedly clashed with a Manchester United team-mate on the flight back to Manchester after making explosive post-match comments about the club's hierarchy. The Argentine defender did not hold back following United's 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday evening, criticising those responsible for the club's transfer strategy.

Martinez's post-match outburst

Martinez argued that United should have done more in the summer transfer window, insisting the squad lacked the quality needed to compete at the highest level in Europe despite the arrival of several midfield reinforcements. He also called for greater scrutiny of technical director Jason Wilcox rather than head coach Michael Carrick, whose influence over recruitment is limited.

According to Sky Sports, at least one player confronted Martinez about his remarks as the United squad boarded their flight back to Manchester. The report also claims his comments sparked anger and confusion both in the boardroom and among his team-mates, prompting the confrontation.

Player reaction and quotes

Martinez's suggestion that his fellow United players were not good enough to compete at the highest level is understood to have particularly angered members of the squad.

Speaking to Amazon Prime after the game, Martinez picked out the technical director Wilcox, and criticised the summer transfer window. "I expected more from our technical director," he said. "I have to be honest, you know? And also, as players, we have to do more, but it's also important when you make a strong squad to be ready for these kinds of nights."

When asked which areas he felt needed to be strengthened, he added: "In general. I think last season we did everything; we created a base to build an amazing team. But this is something to be honest and to prove something, you know?"

"Yeah, it's annoying, disappointing, to come here and not see my team trying to get an amazing result here. It's disappointing."