Manchester United players share Lisandro Martinez frustration with hierarchy

Michael Carrick was in no mood to blame his players after Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid, preferring to aim his frustration at the officials.

He called Leny Yoro’s 74th-minute red card “very soft”.

The result leaves United winless in five and with only two victories from their nine matches this season, the last of them against Sabah on 10 September.

The more damaging story, though, came from the interview area rather than the pitch.

Lisandro Martinez’s attack on director of football Jason Wilcox stunned many inside the club and drew criticism from Wayne Rooney and Jamie Carragher.

Manchester United players share Lisandro Martinez frustration with hierarchy

It now appears he is not alone, with talkSPORT reporting that senior players share his frustration with the hierarchy.

The feeling is that Lisandro Martinez is by no means the only member of the squad unhappy with a perceived lack of ambition at board level, with Wilcox the main target.

Players believe the club missed a chance to build on the momentum of last season’s second half, bringing in only three midfielders when other areas needed attention.

Amad Diallo, who replaced Marcus Rashford in the 66th minute, also posted on Snapchat, “F*****g disgrace. I have no words.”

Martinez’s own contract expires in June 2027, with United holding a one-year option they have yet to decide whether to use.

Rooney called his interview “very disrespectful” and “premeditated”, while Carragher branded it “awful”, yet Carrick declined to be drawn.

“After a game like this you are disappointed and can be emotional,” he said.

The senior group also includes Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot, Mason Mount and Matthijs de Ligt, all of whom were part of last season’s push for the Champions League.

United spent £155 million this summer on Carlos Baleba (£70 million), Andrey Santos (£50 million) and Youri Tielemans (£35 million), after more than £200 million on forwards the previous year.

A defensive rebuild is expected next summer, but this dressing room looks increasingly unwilling to wait.