Spanish media piled on Manchester United following their Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid, branding them a "rudderless giant" and accusing them of throwing in the towel. United's winless run extended to a fifth match as Michael Carrick's side were beaten 2-0 at the Metropolitano Stadium.
Slow start proves costly
A slow start proved costly as Pablo Barrios scored inside the first minute. United stayed in the game with Bruno Fernandes striking the crossbar, but their night unravelled further when Leny Yoro was sent off and substitute Ademola Lookman added the second to seal a deserved win for Diego Simeone's side.
Spanish publications didn't hold back in their assessment of United, with AS calling them a "rudderless giant." It wrote: "In Atleti's fifth consecutive victory, their first in Europe, they brought down that rudderless giant, a shadow of the side of the Ferguson era, before Simeone."
Criticism of tactics and dependence on Fernandes
AS added that United "looked destined to be attacked," lacked "colour and substance" and pointed to their over-reliance on Fernandes, adding: "Everything in Carrick's team depends on Bruno." Marca gave the majority of the United side - and Carrick - lowly ratings while Mundo Deportivo said United "threw in the towel after the second goal" as "Atletico eased off the gas."
Cope called out Carrick's tactics, saying: "Given United's current struggles, such a self-defeating start prompts deeper reflection and fuels a lack of confidence. With Matheus Cunha left out of the starting XI, his manager obsessed with reinforcing the midfield for a useless defensive setup at the Metropolitano, as evidenced by the early goal conceded."
Portuguese media and Martinez comments
The same outlet praised Bryan Mbeumo for being the "driving force of the Red Devils' attack" but called Fernandes "inconsequential at times." Portuguese media was similarly damning, with A Bola writing: "The Red Devils had never managed to beat the Spanish side, and they were even less likely to do so now: they are far behind, in many aspects, the team managed by Diego Simeone."
The same outlet also questioned Carrick's deployment of Fernandes, adding: "With Bruno too confined to the wing, United spent more time without the ball (42% in total), which, given that they were facing a team not known for its possession-based style, reveals some structural problems."
Lisandro Martinez's blistering attack on the United hierarchy for, in his view, failing to back Carrick in the summer was also widely covered. Taking aim at director of football Jason Wilcox, Martinez said: "I expect more from our technical director."
