Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has publicly criticized the club's board for a perceived lack of investment in the squad during the recent summer transfer window. His comments came after the team suffered a 2-0 defeat against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday, extending their winless streak across all competitions to five games.

This poor run of form has resulted in Manchester United experiencing their worst start to a league season in 40 years. Martinez, speaking to Amazon Prime after the match in Madrid, expressed his deep disappointment with the team's performance and hinted that it reflected broader issues within the club.

"Really poor," Martinez stated when asked about the team's performance against Atletico. He added that the situation felt like a "reflection… [or] mirror of how our club is at the moment." The defender confirmed he "100 percent" expected more investment in the squad, especially after the team secured third place in the Premier League last season and qualified for Europe's elite club competition.

Martinez specifically mentioned expectations for the technical director, Jason Wilcox, and emphasized the need for a stronger squad to compete on nights like these. He recalled that last season the club had "created the base to create an amazing team," but this foundation was not built upon with new signings.

While pressure mounts on coach Michael Carrick after the club's winless streak, Martinez suggested that frequent managerial changes are not the solution. He implied that other areas within the club's structure also require attention, stating, "You can’t keep changing, changing, changing the manager. What about other areas? I can’t say more." He argued that it is too easy to blame the coach or the players, and that "we have to see other areas."

Minority owner Jim Ratcliffe was reportedly present at the stadium to witness the defeat. Manchester United reportedly spent approximately 140 million pounds ($185 million) this summer on midfielders Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans, and Andrey Santos. However, fans have expressed dissatisfaction with the club's failure to strengthen other key positions, such as left-back and striker.

Coach Michael Carrick stated he had not heard Martinez's comments and thus could not comment on them, suggesting they might be "on the emotions of the game." Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, however, deemed Martinez's criticism excessive, telling Amazon Prime that such issues "should have stayed internal." Rooney acknowledged Martinez's passion and desire for investment but questioned the appropriateness of his public remarks.

The defender's strong words highlight growing concerns among players and supporters regarding the club's strategic direction and transfer policy. The upcoming fixtures and the board's response to these criticisms will be closely watched as the team navigates a challenging period.