Martinez criticism renews scrutiny of Wilcox at Manchester United

Lisandro Martinez’s criticism of Manchester United’s leadership has again put director of football Jason Wilcox under scrutiny, but the club’s sources say Wilcox is not at risk of losing his job, BBC Sport reports. [1]

After United’s 2-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid, Martinez said: “I expect more from our technical director.” He also argued that United did not have the best squad compared with other top teams and called for “more ambition”. The Argentina defender repeatedly declined to be steered away from discussing the club’s summer transfer business in a post-match interview with CBS. [1]

BBC Sport says dressing-room sources had argued during the summer that United needed more signings than the three players who arrived: Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba. They identified left-back and striker as obvious areas to strengthen. The report says United accepted that failing to add competition for Luke Shaw and support for striker Benjamin Sesko was a flawed strategy, and that the recruitment department is working on potential January targets. [1]

The BBC notes that Martinez’s contract expires at the end of the season, with United holding an option to extend it by a year. It raises, without resolving, whether his public criticism could affect that option. [1]

Martinez’s comments also add pressure on manager Michael Carrick, who is expected to face further questions before Sunday’s trip to Leeds. United have gone five games without a win, according to BBC Sport. Sources who know Carrick say his calmness suits a crisis, but the report says the dispute risks distracting the squad. [1]

Wilcox, 55, previously faced scrutiny after then-manager Ruben Amorim criticised him following a news conference at Leeds; Amorim was sacked less than 24 hours later. BBC Sport says recruitment was praised in summer 2025, but questions now surround this year’s £155m spending. It reports that Baleba missed the first six weeks with injury, Santos had been an unused substitute in the last three Premier League games, and Tielemans’ form had been patchy. [1]

The wider discontent extends to United’s minority ownership by Ineos. The BBC reports fan criticism of ticket-price increases and the club’s plan for a new 100,000-capacity stadium, expected to cost more than £2bn. United’s latest accounts put overall debt at £1.1bn. [1]