Martínez hits out as Manchester United fall 2-0 in Madrid
Manchester United lost 2-0 at Atlético Madrid, then Lisandro Martínez turned his fire on the club's own hierarchy.
The defeat came on 13 October in Madrid. It was Round 2 of the league phase, the opening part of the 2026/27 Champions League where teams play a series of games to reach the knockouts. The result stretched United's winless run and prolonged their poor start to the season. The Guardian
Atlético made the pressure count late. Ademola Lookman scored in the 79th minute on the way to the 2-0 win. ESPN United had no answer in the closing stages. The home crowd sensed it.
Then came the noise off the pitch. Martínez publicly criticised United's hierarchy after the defeat. Reuters His words travelled fast.
They also landed inside the dressing room. Teammates widely share Martínez's view that Jason Wilcox is failing, according to Guardian reporting on 14 October. The Guardian That claim raises the stakes. It is no longer one angry voice after a bad night.
The story led the latest Football Weekly video, published by The Guardian on 14 October. Max Rushden was joined by Barry Glendenning, Nedum Onuoha and Jonathan Liew to pick through United's night in Madrid. The Guardian The show runs for 54:34.
For fans, this means two problems at once. United need points, and they need calm. The next Champions League test is Como 1907 against Manchester United on 21 October. A response on the pitch would quieten plenty off it.
