Some players are said to have welcomed the Argentine defender’s willingness to speak openly about the club’s problems, while others believe his intervention intensified scrutiny of a team already enduring a difficult run of results.
According to The Sun, one senior player felt Martínez’s comments had overshadowed what the squad considered a respectable performance against last season’s Champions League semi-finalists. Another reportedly believes the absence of several team-mates has affected the group’s harmony.
Martínez criticised Manchester United’s recruitment after the defeat in Madrid, questioning whether enough had been done to strengthen the squad during the summer transfer window. He specifically called for greater support from director of football Jason Wilcox, arguing that responsibility for the club’s struggles extended beyond the players and coaching staff.
The 2-0 loss, in which Pablo Barrios and Ademola Lookman scored for Atlético, extended United’s winless run to five matches. Michael Carrick’s side now face a trip to Leeds United on Sunday, with the controversy adding another complication ahead of the Premier League fixture.
United were without Kobbie Mainoo, Luke Shaw and Benjamin Šeško in Madrid. All three would have been candidates to start had they been fit, while their absences have added to concerns about the squad’s available options.
Martínez reportedly avoided photographers when the United party arrived back at Manchester Airport shortly before 3am on Wednesday. Some players and staff then travelled to the club’s Carrington training complex to collect their cars. Carrick was also believed to have returned to the training ground.
Although the players had Wednesday off, senior staff continued working at Carrington as the club dealt with the latest fallout.
Martínez was previously included in the six-man leadership group reassembled by former head coach Rúben Amorim last year. United also have a sizeable contingent of Latin American players, although the reported differences over his remarks suggest his comments have not received unanimous backing.
The 28-year-old is in the final year of his contract, with United holding an option to extend his stay. If the club does not activate that option before January, he could negotiate a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club.
United have not publicly confirmed whether Martínez will face disciplinary action over his comments. The immediate priority for Carrick and his players is to halt their winless run at Leeds, with the defender’s intervention exposing tensions over the club’s direction as well as its results.