Martinez's future at Man Utd in doubt after public outburst
Lisandro Martinez's Manchester United future has been called into question following his extraordinary criticism of the club's bosses, and there are real doubts about whether the Argentine defender's contract will be extended when it expires in the summer.
Key points
- Lisandro Martinez's Manchester United future is in doubt after he publicly criticised the club's bosses.
- United are looking at new centre-backs and left-backs, and have yet to decide whether to discipline Martinez.
- There is anger and bemusement at Martinez's comments in both the boardroom and the changing room.
Lisandro Martinez's future at Manchester United has been called into question after his public criticism of the club's bosses. There are real doubts about whether the Argentine defender's contract will be extended when it expires in the summer.
United have the formal option to prolong Martinez's stay by a further year. The club is also looking at new centre-backs and left-backs in the next transfer windows.
What Martinez said
Martinez said: "I expect more from our technical director. We expect more from the top, from upstairs, to bring in more players to compete."
United's bosses have yet to decide whether to discipline him. Sky Sports News has been told there is anger and bemusement at his comments in both the boardroom and the changing room, with at least one other player challenging him as the squad boarded the plane back to Manchester. There is no internal pressure on Wilcox's position.
I expect more from our technical director. We expect more from the top, from upstairs, to bring in more players to compete.
— Lisandro Martinez
Transfer plans and squad issues
Martinez has been keen on a move away for some time. In the summer, he pushed for a move to Atletico Madrid to follow his friend Cristian Romero, but no suitable bid came in. The 28-year-old made similar comments about Ajax bosses in 2022, calling sporting director Gerry Hamstra a "nobody".
United's defence is blighted by injury and suspension. Ayden Heaven started at left-back against Atletico, Leny Yoro will serve a one-game European ban, Harry Maguire's game-time is being managed, and Luke Shaw, Patrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui are absent with fitness issues.
