Lisandro Martinez questions Man Utd’s hierarchy over lack of ambition

Share current article via FacebookShare current article via PinterestShare current article via TwitterShare current article via LinkedInlead-art-block.fullscreen-enterExpandManchester United manager Michael Carrick with Lisandro Martinez By Simon Peach, Press Association Chief Football Writer, MadridOctober 14, 2026 at 8:00am BSTLisandro Martinez ​called out Manchester United’s lack of ambition as the defender doubled down on his withering ​criticism of the club’s hierarchy.

Michael Carrick’s 10 men fell to a 2-0 loss at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday but the only talking point afterwards revolved around a player nicknamed ‘the butcher’ wielding his cleaver.

Martinez launched a blistering attack on United’s director of football Jason Wilcox for a lack of summer transfer business during a caustic interview with Prime Video that sent shockwaves across football.

But the Argentina international did not stop there as the outspoken centre-back reiterated his stance when speaking to former Red Devils goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel on CBS Sports.

“We are trying to be positive and trying to be honest,” Martinez said. “We have to change, we have to do more because I think we are capable to do better.

“We have the players and, yeah, we expect but also, for sure, when you watch the television and you watch the games, you see the players and the manager and you point the finger, which is right.

“We take the responsibility but also as a club I expect more, you know. I expect more. I’m not going to close my mouth.

“I expect more. We need more and we need more ambition. We need to talk more about winning the Champions League, to talk about winning the Premier League in terms of other things.”

When Schmeichel pointed out that it is only October, the frustrated United defender said: “Yeah, but every season we are talking the same thing.”

After the 1999 treble winner interjected to say that clubs do not win or lose anything at this stage of a campaign, Martinez said: “No, no for sure. For sure. But if we don’t say the truth, nothing will change.”

Martinez’s astonishing interviews will dominate the build-up to Sunday’s eagerly-anticipated Premier League trip to rivals Leeds as pressure mounts on boss Carrick.

The 28-year-old suggested there should also be focus on the Ineos-led boardroom as United travel to West Yorkshire with their worst points tally after six games since 1986 and fresh from a fruitless night in Spain.

The Red Devils reacted well after falling behind inside a minute to an avoidable Pablo Barrios goal, with Atleti substitute Ademola Lookman completing a 2-0 win shortly after Leny Yoro was sent off.

“I think the belief, the energy (are issues),” Martinez said. “We are not playing well as a team. You can see the disconnection.

“We can’t do sometimes three, four passes together and the body language. We miss some chances and we are negative.

“And, yeah, when you play against these teams, especially in Champions League, you can’t miss (the) opportunity and you can’t concede in the first minute the goal we concede and, yeah, that’s it.”

Asked if the disconnect he mentioned is down to a lack of confidence, fitness or understanding, the United defender said: “Yeah, for sure the confidence and also the rotation in the team, you know.

“Because we have many, many games and you have to rotate players and, for me, we don’t have the best squad at the moment compared with other top teams.”