Lisandro Martínez has questioned Manchester United’s summer recruitment strategy amid fresh scrutiny of the club’s leadership following their 2-0 defeat to Atlético Madrid.

Manchester United's problems deepened on Tuesday, October 13, as Atlético Madrid won 2-0 in the Champions League. The result took United’s winless run in all competitions to five matches and increased the pressure on head coach Michael Carrick.

Martinez said after the game that United needed more investment in the squad to compete regularly at the top. He also said the responsibility for the club's problems should be spread wider than the manager and players.

“We did a fantastic season last season, and now we expect more from the top and more players to compete because many teams bring many players as well,” told the defender to Amazon Prime.

I want more. 100%. I want more from our technical director [Jason Wilcox].

“We have to build a squad that can compete in demanding European matches,” said Martínez, acknowledging the players also needed to improve.

“Tonight it is easy to [blame] the coach; it is easy to say the players, but we also have to see other areas,” he said.

His remarks have intensified the debate about United’s recruitment choices and whether the club has given Carrick sufficient depth across the squad.

Recruiting under renewed scrutiny

United’s summer transfer strategy has been questioned over the absence of more options in key positions, particularly in attack and at left-back.

The club poured money into the middle of the park but left questions about the cover for center-forward Benjamin Šeško and left-back Luke Shaw.

Martínez also criticised the constant changes in the managerial position, saying that changing coaches without addressing wider structural problems would not necessarily solve the club’s issues.

“You can't keep changing, changing, changing the manager," he said. “Other places? I can't say any more.”

Since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down in 2013, United has had a succession of various managers, and attempts to build something lasting have been inconsistent. The club’s leadership—including minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada, and football director Jason Wilcox—are now under renewed pressure over recruitment and planning for the long term.

Yet Martínez’s criticism does not absolve the players of responsibility. He admitted himself that the squad needs to perform better, but he also called for more support from the leadership of the club.

Rooney says comments could split the squad.

Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney criticised Martínez for airing his concerns in public and warned that the remarks could jeopardise relationships in the dressing room.

Rooney said on Amazon Prime that the defender’s comments undermined his teammates by suggesting the squad was not strong enough.

'It's disrespectful to his teammates,' Rooney said. “He’s saying his teammates aren’t good enough.

Rooney likened it to his own public criticism of United in 2010 that led to a confrontation with then manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Later he said he knew he had been mistaken in his approach and apologized.

Rooney said concerns about recruitment should be raised privately rather than straight after a bad result.

Ashley Young, a former United winger, questioned Martinez’s timing. Young said recruitment needed to improve but insisted players had to take responsibility for their performances.

Rooney’s verdict was not universally accepted. Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson said he understood Martínez's decision to speak out, arguing that supporters could see weaknesses in the squad and wanted greater honesty from the club.

But Robinson questioned whether it was the right time to raise the issue in the immediate aftermath of defeat.

The dispute underscores the struggle between publicly addressing structural problems and maintaining solidarity in a struggling team.

Carrick to abstain from answer

Asked about the comments after the match, Carrick said he had not watched Martínez’s interview in full.

'I didn't see the interview,' he said. “I've heard bits and pieces. It’s a little bit about the emotions in the game.”

The manager refused to pass judgement until he had more details on what the defender had said.

“We have to move on fast,” added Carrick, who was adamant that there was no doubt about the group’s commitment or desire to win.

Asked if he would speak to Martinez, Carrick said he would need to get to the bottom of things before deciding what to do.

United’s display in Madrid gave little succor to recent results. Pablo Barrios put Atlético ahead in the opening minute, and Ademola Lookman doubled the lead in the 79th. United defender Leny Yoro was sent off in the 74th minute to compound the visitors’ woes.

Carrick, meanwhile, faced fresh pressure following the defeat, with Martínez’s remarks also casting doubt on the club’s recruitment strategy and decision-making.

A difficult question for the United States

Martínez’s intervention raises a wider question. Can Manchester United improve their results without addressing issues with squad depth and recruitment?

Rooney’s warning about dressing-room unity also rings true. Public criticism can also increase pressure on fellow players and management, especially if results are not going well. But dismissing the concerns leaves legitimate questions about the club’s long-term planning unanswered.

United’s first task is to respond on the pitch and ensure recruitment wrangling does not distract.

Whether Martinez’s comments lead to a constructive internal debate or deepen divisions will depend on how the club and its players respond in the coming days.