Manchester United are reeling from a 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and the explosive aftermath of the clash. Michael Carrick's side, who are 13th in the Premier League after six matches and have already been eliminated from the Carabao Cup at home to Brighton, fell behind in the very first minute against the La Liga giants. Things got worse in the second half when defender Leny Yoro was controversially sent off, before United conceded a second goal to end any hope of a comeback.
Martinez points finger at Wilcox and INEOS
Next up is a trip to bitter rivals Leeds United, but first there was the emotionally charged post-match rant of Lisandro Martinez as he pointed fingers at the club's technical director Jason Wilcox and United's INEOS decision-makers over the failure to build a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts this summer. This comes after Carrick achieved a third-placed finish last season, having rescued United from the nightmare of Ruben Amorim's reign.
Martinez aimed his criticism squarely at Wilcox and the INEOS hierarchy after the loss in Spain. The Argentine defender said: "Really poor. Really poor. I have to control myself a lot, but sometimes it's a reflection of how our club is at the moment."
"We had a fantastic season last season and now we expect more from the top, from upstairs, to bring in more players to compete because many teams have brought in many players as well. Atletico have an amazing team and they deserve to win today."
United signed midfielders Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Baleba for a combined £150million in the summer, but failed to recruit in key positions, including a new forward and a new left-back.
Martinez: 'I expect more from our sporting director'
Martinez added: "I expect more, honestly. I expect more from our sporting director [Wilcox]. I have to be honest. And also, as a player, we have to do more. It's also important to build a strong squad to be ready for this kind of night."
"In general, I think last season we did everything. We created the base to build an amazing team. But this is something, to be honest, and to prove something. It's annoying and disappointing coming here. I'm not seeing my team trying to get an amazing result here. It's disappointing."
When questioned about whether Carrick should face scrutiny, he responded: "I don't think so. I don't think so. He does his best. But every season is different. You can't stay with what you did last season. Teams know you, how you play. Teams know every detail, and if you don't change next season, it's a big problem."
"You start changing, changing, changing managers. But what about other areas? I can't say more. Tonight, it's easy to say the coach, it's easy to say the players. But also we have to look at other areas [of the club]."
Carrick was asked about his player's comments and replied: "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. I have not seen it so I don't think it is the right time."
"We all care and show that in different ways but now is the time to be together and work through."
Rooney: Fernandes 'fed up'
United captain Bruno Fernandes, with four goals and three assists this season, is currently leading the scoring for his side. However, as United's results falter, a club legend believes the 32-year-old Portuguese midfielder is growing frustrated, reports the Mirror.
Wayne Rooney discussed Fernandes on Stick to United, stating: "He's fed up. I genuinely do think he looks, 'Oh, here we go again.' There are only so many times."
"He has carried the team, but sometimes you need taking out of that position, of that role, to breathe again. I feel like now you can see it building up and there's going to be an explosion with him if this carries on."
"He's not scared to come out and voice his opinion. So there is going to be that explosion if this carries on the way it's going. For me, you need that three in midfield at the minute because they're getting outrun, they're getting outplayed."
"All of a sudden, then you've got [Kobbie] Mainoo and [Youri] Tielemans, who are not the quickest and not the most mobile, to cover the full width of the pitch as two midfield players, and they can't do it."
Pogba backs Carrick
United £89m signing Paul Pogba, who made 233 appearances for the club and netted 39 goals across two stints, spoke to Sky Sports about the beleaguered Carrick.
"It's just the start of the season, there's nothing much to say, it's just the start of the season and the season is very long," Pogba stated. "He showed last season when he came, everybody said he was the manager that will change everything."
"Now that the results don't come they say maybe he's too young. One day or the other it can change a lot, they just have to give them time and it will be fine."
