‘I expect more investment’: Martinez blasts Man Utd board as Rooney fears dressing-room rift
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has criticised the club’s hierarchy for failing to strengthen the squad sufficiently following qualification for the Champions League, prompting former United players Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young to question his decision to speak publicly.
Martinez made the comments after United’s 2-0 defeat against Atlético Madrid on Tuesday, extending their winless run to five matches.
United finished third in the Premier League last season to secure a Champions League return after three years. Michael Carrick won 12 of his 17 matches as interim manager following Ruben Amorim’s dismissal in January 2026, earning a permanent two-year contract as head coach.
However, Martínez believes the club should have invested more to build on that progress.
“We did a fantastic season last season and now we expect more from the top, more players to compete because many teams bring many players as well,” Martínez told Amazon Prime.
“Atletico have an amazing team and they deserved to win today.
“I expect more [investment]. 100%. I expect more from our technical director [Jason Wilcox].”
The Argentine defender acknowledged that players also needed to improve but argued that squad strength was essential for competing at the highest level.
“I have to be honest, as players we have to do more but it is also important when you make a strong squad to be ready for this kind of night.
“Tonight it is easy to [blame] the coach, easy to say the players but also we have to see other areas.”
United spent £155m on three midfielders during the summer, while concerns remained over striking support for Benjamin Sesko and competition for left-back Luke Shaw.
Martínez also questioned the club’s repeated changes of manager, suggesting that wider structural problems needed attention.
“You can't keep changing, changing, changing the manager,” he said. “What about other areas? I can't say more.
“Last season we did everything, we created the base to create an amazing team.”
Former United captain Rooney strongly criticised the interview, warning that it could damage relationships within the dressing room.
“Something like that will rip that dressing room apart,” Rooney said.
Recalling his own public criticism of United in 2010, which drew a fierce response from Sir Alex Ferguson, Rooney admitted that his actions had been a mistake and said he had apologised.
“It is disrespectful to his team-mates,” he said. “He is saying his team-mates aren't good enough.
“Bruno [Fernandes] is the only one with any right to say that. Behind closed doors, it happens - but that interview isn't going to help...
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. “[Martinez] has tried to speak on behalf of the players but done it the wrong way.
“It looks like a player trying to look after himself. It was very premeditated. It is sad because you need everyone to stick together, you need to be as one.”
Young also argued that Martínez should have kept his concerns private, although he acknowledged the need for better recruitment.
“We know recruitment has to work and be better but players have to be better,” Young said. “They are the ones who have to produce.
“There's going to be no change now. That could create [issues] all week after what was a good performance.”
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson offered a more sympathetic response, questioning the timing but supporting the substance of Martínez’s concerns.
“I question his timing because with the noise around Manchester United at the moment, positivity needs to come out of the dressing room,” he said.
“But on the flip side, I actually quite like it - a player being honest.
“Manchester United fans don't need their players coming out saying 'we're doing OK, the squad's strong enough'.
“Everyone can see they didn't recruit well enough and they need more players and the squad's not strong enough.”
The controversy has intensified debate over United’s recruitment strategy, managerial stability and player accountability. Martínez has one year remaining on his contract and has yet to agree an extension, adding further uncertainty as the club seeks to address its inconsistent performances.
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