Manchester United’s struggles continued after a 2-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid, with Amad Diallo and Lisandro Martinez voicing their frustration after the Champions League loss.
The defeat at the Metropolitano added to the pressure on Michael Carrick’s side. Amad criticised the performance on social media, while Martinez questioned the club’s recruitment strategy and leadership.
Man United travelled to the Spanish capital hoping to revive their troubled campaign. However, their plans suffered an immediate setback when Atletico scored within the opening 50 seconds.
The visitors tried to respond and created several chances to get back into the contest. Yet their hopes of a comeback took another blow when Leny Yoro received a red card.
Atletico took advantage of their numerical superiority, with Ademola Lookman scoring to seal the victory 11 minutes before the final whistle.
United were unhappy with several refereeing decisions. After the match, Amad took to Snapchat to express his anger in a post that reflected the frustration inside the dressing room.
“F*****g disgrace I have no words”.
Martinez demands more investment at Man United
However, Amad was not the only United player to speak out after the defeat. Martinez delivered a strong criticism of the club’s direction and questioned the level of support from its senior decision makers.
The Argentine defender also pointed to the need for better recruitment, arguing that United must strengthen their squad to compete with Europe’s leading teams.
“Really poor performance, really poor,” a furious Martinez said. “I have to control myself a lot but sometimes it’s a reflection of the mirror of how is our club at the moment. We did a fantastic season last season and now we expect more from the top, from up, to be more players to compete because many, many teams bring many players as well. Atletico have an amazing team and they deserved to win today.”
When asked whether United had enough quality and depth to compete at the highest level, Martinez made his disappointment clear. He called for greater investment while accepting that the players also needed to improve.
His comments placed fresh scrutiny on football director Jason Wilcox and the club’s summer recruitment decisions. Martinez believes United must build a stronger squad if they want to handle demanding European fixtures.
He added: “I expect more, honestly. I expect more [investment]. Yeah, 100 per cent. I expect more from our technical director. We have to be honest and also 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.”
The defeat has left United facing more questions about their performances, squad depth and leadership. With frustration now spilling into public view, Carrick and the club’s decision makers face growing pressure to find a response.
