Martinez questions United recruitment after Atletico defeat

Lisandro Martinez criticised Manchester United's recruitment after Tuesday's 2-0 Champions League defeat at Atletico Madrid, saying the squad needed greater backing following last season's qualification. BBC Sport reported that the defender called for more from technical director Jason Wilcox while accepting that the players also needed to improve.

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Martinez argued that scrutiny should extend beyond the coach and playing staff, rather than repeatedly changing managers. He said United's previous campaign had established a foundation for a stronger team and acknowledged that Atletico deserved their victory. His comments concerned squad building as well as performance.

BBC Sport reported that United spent £155m on three midfielders during the summer without strengthening other positions. The report highlighted the absence of additional support for striker Benjamin Sesko and competition for Luke Shaw at left-back.

The defeat extended United's winless sequence to five matches. Their most recent victory came against Sabah on 10 September, after finishing third in the Premier League last season to secure their Champions League return.

The match had immediately gone against United. AS reported that Atletico scored with their first spell on the ball, as Cristian Romero found Lee Kang-in, whose pass released Alex Baena behind the defence. Baena controlled the ball and set up Pablo Barrios arriving from midfield. That opening move put the hosts ahead before United had completed a minute of play and helped Atletico towards a fifth successive victory across their recent fixtures.

United still threatened an equaliser: Cadena SER reported that Bruno Fernandes struck the crossbar in the second half. Their task became harder in the 73rd minute when Leny Yoro was sent off following a foul on Jonathan David. Ademola Lookman then scored in the 79th minute, finishing after a save by Senne Lammens during a counterattack involving David. The second goal settled the scoring at the Metropolitano in Madrid and secured Atletico's first victory in this season's Champions League, with United unable to find a reply.