MARTINEZ CRITICISES UNITED HIERARCHY AFTER ATLETICO DEFEAT

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez criticised the club's hierarchy in an interview following a 2-0 Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid, according to reports. The result extended Manchester United's winless run to five matches. Defender Leny Yoro was sent off during the game in Madrid. One report described the display as avoiding a heavier defeat but said the club's head coach was running out of time as the team's poor start to the campaign continued. Martinez's comments were described as a forthright intervention from within the squad.

According to Sportskeeda, Martinez's criticism centred on the club's hierarchy not doing enough transfer business during the summer window. The outlet reported that the defender linked the squad's recent results to decisions made by those running the club over recruitment. Manchester United have faced broader questions this season over results on the pitch, with the Atletico Madrid loss adding to a run without a win in five games. Separately, the club was reported to have responded to comments made by former player Nicky Butt concerning Michael Carrick, which the club described as "sensationalised". Elsewhere in the same Champions League round, Arsenal beat Lille.

No club response to Martinez's specific remarks on the hierarchy had been reported at the time of writing. The defeat leaves Manchester United facing continued scrutiny over their form as the season progresses, according to coverage of the match. Further Champions League and Premier League fixtures will offer the club an opportunity to end the winless run. No date or confirmed line-up changes were given for the club's next fixture in the reports. The club's hierarchy had not issued a public reply to Martinez's comments.