Lisandro Martinez Criticizes Manchester United Hierarchy After Madrid Defeat

Manchester United are sinking deeper into crisis after a 0-2 defeat at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League in the early hours of Wednesday, their third loss in a five-match winless run. The result prompted defender Lisandro Martinez to criticize the club's leadership for failing to invest enough in the squad.

Just two months into the 2026-27 season, United have made their worst start in 40 years. Michael Carrick's side sit 12th in the Premier League with just six points from six games — their lowest tally since 1986.

A disastrous start in the Premier League

United disappointed from opening day, losing to newly promoted Hull City. Across nine matches in all competitions this season, the club have managed only two wins: a comeback victory over Ipswich Town in the Premier League and a 4-0 Champions League win against Sabah.

United then lost a fiercely contested Manchester derby to City before being knocked out of the League Cup by Brighton & Hove Albion in the third round. Two successive 1-1 draws with Fulham and Tottenham — both in the relegation zone — underlined the team's stagnation.

United's problems run through every department, with the side showing no real sense of urgency.

Mounting pressure on Carrick

United avoided a third straight defeat thanks to a late equalizer at Fulham's Craven Cottage, but a flat performance drew sharp criticism from pundits and former players, with Gary Neville calling the second-half effort "absolutely pathetic."

Carrick has remained resolute: "It's not ideal. It was always going to come at some point, and it's come early in the season."

But the pressure kept building as United were held 1-1 at Old Trafford by bottom club Tottenham, after taking the lead but failing to protect it against opponents reduced to 10 men. The team were booed both at half-time and at the final whistle.

"It clearly hurts, it hurts a lot," Carrick said of the boos. "It's not pleasant, but sometimes you have to go through that. I understand it."

The 45-year-old had been expected to build on the positives of last season, when he pulled United out of the wreckage of the Ruben Amorim era. But in his first full season in charge, Carrick risks losing his way.

Did the hierarchy invest enough in the summer window?

In the summer transfer window, United brought in three talented midfielders — Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans — plus back-up goalkeeper Karl Darlow, at a combined cost of £155 million ($204m).

However, the club's failure to sign a top-class left-back and a reliable striker left unresolved gaps, forcing the side to rely on makeshift options.

That appears to be the focus of Martinez's criticism in the Spanish capital. "I expect more from the technical director [Jason Wilcox], I have to be honest. As players, we have to do more. But the important thing is when you build a strong squad, you have to be ready for nights like this," the Argentina centre-back said.

Trouble over young talent JJ Gabriel

Beyond the first team, United's academy has also drawn attention for unwanted reasons. JJ Gabriel — regarded as one of world football's most promising young talents — has said he wants to leave the club and has submitted a deregistration request. English media reported the club has no intention of granting the request and hopes to find a solution.

The winger, last season's Premier League U18 Player of the Season, is attracting interest from leading European clubs such as Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.

Growing financial losses

Last month, United reported a net annual loss that widened by nearly a third to £43 million ($57m) despite record revenue. The club posted revenue of £677.6 million ($890.7m) in the financial year ending June 30, up 1.7%.

But it marked United's seventh consecutive year of post-tax losses, as co-owner Jim Ratcliffe's operating cost cuts offset payouts to sacked coach Amorim and a sharp rise in loan repayments.

The club's debt remains above £1 billion ($1.3bn), and record revenue has failed to halt the losses. The British billionaire Ratcliffe has carried out a series of controversial cost-cutting measures, including mass staff layoffs and ticket price increases, since completing a minority stake purchase in February 2024.

A rift between Ratcliffe and the fans

Ratcliffe also sparked controversy with comments on immigration, prompting the Manchester United Muslim Supporters' Club (MUMSC) to call for his resignation. In February, the 73-year-old said the United Kingdom had been "colonized by immigrants" and later apologized if anyone was offended. He continued to defend the view in a BBC interview.

MUMSC condemned Ratcliffe's remarks and again voiced its frustration, calling them "deeply disappointing."

It is not the first time United fans have expressed their discontent. Before the defeat to Manchester City, supporters protested against the current ownership with a banner reading: "The way you treat us is a disgrace."