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Lisandro Martinez is reported to have clashed with a Manchester United teammate on the flight back from Madrid after firing off explosive comments about the club’s hierarchy. The confrontation followed a bruising Champions League defeat and comes at a sensitive moment for the squad.
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The Argentine defender refused to stay quiet following Manchester United‘s 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday evening. He turned his fire on those responsible for the club’s transfer strategy, arguing the squad lacked the quality to compete at Europe’s top level despite several midfield additions over the summer.
Martinez called for scrutiny of technical director Jason Wilcox rather than head coach Michael Carrick, pointing out that Carrick’s influence over recruitment decisions is limited.
Confrontation on the flight home
According to Sky Sports, at least one player confronted Martinez about his remarks as the United squad boarded their return flight to Manchester. The report claims his comments sparked anger and confusion both in the boardroom and among teammates, triggering the heated exchange.
Martinez’s suggestion that his fellow players weren’t good enough to compete at the highest level is understood to have particularly irritated members of the dressing room. Speaking to Amazon Prime after the final whistle, he singled out Wilcox and questioned the club’s summer business.
“I expected more from our technical director,” he said. “I have to be honest, you know? And also, as players, we have to do more, but it’s also important when you make a strong squad to be ready for these kinds of nights.”
Asked which areas needed strengthening, he added:
“In general. I think last season we did everything; we created a base to build an amazing team. But this is something to be honest and to prove something, you know?
Yeah, it’s annoying, disappointing, to come here and not see my team trying to get an amazing result here. It’s disappointing.”
A pattern of outspoken remarks
Martinez hasn’t done himself any favours after being linked with a summer exit from Old Trafford. Atletico Madrid were reportedly among his potential suitors, keen to pair him with close friend and Argentina teammate Cristian Romero, who left Tottenham for Spain.
The 28-year-old made similar headlines back in 2022 while pushing for a move away from Ajax, branding the club’s sporting director, Gerry Hamstra, a “nobody.”
Carrick stays tight-lipped
The extent of any punishment Martinez could face remains unclear. Carrick declined to elaborate when pressed on the matter.
“I haven’t seen it. We’re disappointed – sometimes he can be a little bit emotional,” Carrick told Amazon Prime Video. “I’ve not seen it. I don’t think now is the right time for me to comment on it. I fully know we all care. We show that in different ways. But now is certainly the time to be together and work through. We’ve got a big game now on Sunday. We’ve got to prepare for that properly.”
Martinez has featured in seven of United’s first nine games across all competitions this season. The club have managed just two wins in that span, a return that explains the growing frustration inside the squad.
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