Lisandro Martinez has publicly criticised Manchester United's technical director Jason Wilcox, exposing deep frustration within the dressing room after a summer of underwhelming recruitment. The Argentina international's explosive interview followed the Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid and has intensified the spotlight on the club's hierarchy.
Martinez's blunt assessment of United's recruitment
Martinez did not hold back when discussing the club's transfer activity, saying: 'I expect more (investment) 100 per cent. I expect more from our technical director. 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. I have to control myself a lot but sometimes is a reflection of the mirror of how is our club at the moment.'
United signed three midfielders last summer - Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba - while reserve goalkeeper Karl Darlow arrived on a free transfer. Santos and Tielemans were not first-choice options, nor even second or third choices. Martinez's comments were a scathing judgement of the business the club did not do, rather than the business they did.
Benjamin Sesko's shin injury had been a problem since the spring, and the recurrence risk meant failure to sign another striker was criminally negligent. An inevitable injury for Luke Shaw saw Ayden Heaven deployed at left-back against Atletico, with the club deciding a position that has been a problem for years could go another year without addressing.
Wilcox under the microscope
Martinez's ire was directed firmly at Wilcox, with the Argentine's views thought to reflect those of a frustrated dressing room. £150million spent on a new midfield with only Baleba looking the required standard should be a major concern.
United have long been plagued by poor recruitment, but the arrivals of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Senne Lammens in 2025 suggested change was afoot. However, the summer of 2026 was a return to form. United fans might also recall it was Wilcox driving interest in Liam Delap when he was set to leave Ipswich at the end of the 2024-25 season. United dodged a bullet with Chelsea selling the England Under-21 international this summer after just one season that yielded a solitary league goal.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the man who brought Wilcox to the club, once described him as having 'the best eyes in football'. Wilcox's remit stretches across all footballing matters with his role widening following the swift exit of Dan Ashworth, promoted to director of football last year.
Broken promises and a dressing room in revolt
United finished the 2025-26 season well, securing their return to the Champions League with a comfortable third place finish. With Liverpool and Chelsea rebuilding, there was an opportunity for United to build on last season's achievements and position themselves perhaps as Arsenal's nearest title challengers alongside Manchester City.
The players seemed to think that was the case. 'We've had a great few months under the manager,' Harry Maguire said in May. 'I feel like the squad is starting to look like something that is a strong squad. But this summer's going to be big, really, really big. We need more players, we need better quality, we need players to come into the starting eleven. We've got to be in the conversation to go and win the big trophies.'
By August, the message was a little more desperate from Luke Shaw. 'We believe we can win the Premier League. I'm sure there will be a couple of additions to the squad, which is needed to make it stronger,' he said days before a deadline day that was closed for incoming business.
Bruno Fernandes has stuck by United despite enormous offers from Saudi Arabia, loyal almost to a fault while still convinced this United side can win something of note. That might no longer be the case. His form has been desperately poor this season with an injury also limiting his impact on games, but after another summer where the club failed to close the gap on those above them, the frustration is clear.
What's next for Martinez?
A trip to Elland Road awaits on Sunday where Leeds can twist the knife. Dominic Calvert-Lewin gave Arsenal's centre-halves huge problems last weekend, and the towering centre forward will be eager to torment Martinez in a similar fashion. Martinez was ragdolled by Dominic Solanke last Saturday, and Carrick deciding to leave him out of the team against Leeds on that basis would make perfect sense. But what message does dropping a player for having the gall to speak out send?
In the long-term, it is probably safe to say Martinez may have just scuppered his chances of getting his contract extended beyond this season. If that is to be the case, he is certainly going out with a bang.
