Arabic version: تعليقات مارتينيز تجدد التدقيق في ويلكوكس

According to BBC News, Lisandro Martinez’s criticism after Manchester United’s 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid has again put director of football Jason Wilcox under scrutiny. The Argentina defender said he expected more from the club’s “technical director”, though Wilcox’s formal title is director of football.

Martinez said United did not have the best squad compared with other leading teams and called for more ambition. Working as a post-match interviewer for CBS, former United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel attempted on four occasions to move the discussion away from the summer transfer window, but Martinez continued to address it.

BBC Sport said dressing-room sources believed United needed more than the three summer arrivals: Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba. The report said it had been fairly obvious the club needed additions at left-back and striker. United sources said Wilcox, 55, is not in danger of losing his job, while the recruitment department is working on potential January targets.

The club accepts its decision not to sign competition for Luke Shaw and striking support for Benjamin Sesko was flawed, the report said. Both have missed matches this season, while Sesko is sidelined indefinitely after a recurrence of the shin issue that first flared up in May.

Martinez’s comments also create a challenge for Michael Carrick, who has deflected questions on the issue following the Atletico match. Carrick is expected to face further questions before Sunday’s trip to Leeds, with United having gone five games without a win.

Wilcox previously faced criticism after Ruben Amorim’s post-match comments at Leeds, shortly before Amorim was dismissed. His role now comes under renewed attention as United supporters question recruitment and the wider football strategy under the club’s minority ownership.