Lisandro Martinez delivered a scathing assessment of Manchester United's performance after his side dropped crucial points in a 1-1 home draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday night. The result, which saw the Red Devils booed off their own pitch, halted any momentum and left the Argentine defender visibly frustrated.
Martinez's Fury at Old Trafford Stalemate
Speaking after the final whistle, Martinez did not mince his words. "Really disappointed. We can't come here at home and draw this game," he stated. "We have to win when we play at home. The opponent has to suffer and we didn't get the three points." His comments underscored the growing discontent at the Theatre of Dreams, where the team's inability to secure victory against the league's bottom side proved particularly galling.
The visitors arrived at Old Trafford in dire form, winless in their previous 18 Premier League outings and having lost 16 of those matches. Despite this, they managed to silence the home crowd when Ladislav Krejci cancelled out Joshua Zirkzee's first-half opener for United. The equaliser, which came just before the interval, earned Wolves their first point since October.
A Costly Result for United's Ambitions
The draw had significant consequences for Manchester United's league position. A victory would have propelled Ruben Amorim's side into the Premier League's top four, leapfrogging Liverpool, at least temporarily. Instead, the failure to win means they remain stuck in sixth place, their aspirations for Champions League qualification suffering a major setback.
Martinez acknowledged that Wolves' league standing was deceptive, saying, "Wolves don't deserve the place they are, it's a strong team. We respect them." However, he was adamant that this was no excuse for United's subpar display. He pinpointed a drop in intensity after taking the lead as a key factor, noting the team "dropped too much" and allowed Wolves' defenders time and space to build attacks.
Neville's Criticism and Fan Backlash
The performance drew immediate criticism from pundits and fans alike. Former United captain Gary Neville was fiercely critical on Sky Sports, laying the blame at the feet of the coaching staff. "This isn't right again," Neville declared. "I've watched enough United over this last five or six weeks... to know what looks right and what isn't right and I'm really surprised."
The most damning reaction, however, came from the stands. As the full-time whistle blew, United players were met with a chorus of boos from their own supporters, a clear sign of the growing disillusionment with the team's direction and results at home. The atmosphere reflected a club struggling to meet its own lofty standards, with Martinez's post-match comments echoing the sentiment felt by many in the crowd.
Looking ahead, Martinez called for introspection and immediate improvement. "The lads are very disappointed, we expect better," he concluded. "We have to take it and accept it and go for the next one." The challenge for United is to ensure this costly stumble does not define their season.
