Argentine Lisandro Martinez, Manchester United's English defender, strongly criticized the club's management, due to what he considered a lack of investment during the summer transfer period, after losing to Spain's Atletico Madrid 0-2 in the second round of the Champions League, on Tuesday.
United did not taste victory in a series of 5 matches in all competitions (two draws and 3 defeats) after losing by two clean goals in the Spanish capital, and it also recorded its worst start in the English Premier League in 40 years.
“The performance was very bad,” Martinez told Amazon Prime in response to a question about the team’s performance against Atletico.
The 28-year-old international defender added: “I have to control myself a lot, but sometimes this is a reflection of the state of our club at the present time.”
Martinez confirmed that he expected “one hundred percent” a greater investment in the team during the summer transfer period, after the “Red Devils” team finished last season in third place in the league, which opened the door to returning to the most important European competition.
He continued: “I expect more from our technical director (Jason Wilcox). Frankly, as players, we have to put in more effort, but it is also important when building a strong team to be ready for such matches.”
Martinez had said last season that the club had “laid the foundation for building an amazing team,” which was not achieved.
The pressure on coach Michael Carrick is increasing after 5 matches without a win, but Martinez indicated that dismissing the English coach is not the solution.
He added: “You cannot keep changing the coach. What about other centers? "I can't say more."
He continued, saying: “Tonight, it is easy to blame the coach, and it is easy to blame the players, but we also have to look at other aspects.”
Jim Ratcliffe, a shareholder in Manchester United, was present in the stadium to watch his team's defeat in the unified group stage against Atletico, which reached the semi-finals last season.
United spent about $185 million this summer on midfielders: Cameroonian Carlos Baleba, Belgian Youri Tielemans, and Brazilian Andre Santos, but fans were dissatisfied with the club's failure to strengthen other positions, including left back and striker.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Carrick said that he did not hear Martinez's statements and therefore could not judge them.
The coach added: “I think it has a little to do with the emotions of the match, and the feeling of disappointment for not achieving a positive result.”
In a related context, former United and England striker Wayne Rooney said that Martinez's criticism was exaggerated.
He added to Amazon Prime: “I think he may have exaggerated a little, and it would have been better for the matter to remain internal.”
He continued: “It is clear that he is interested, and wants the club to invest more money in new players, and to achieve this, he may be one of the players who will leave, if I am honest.”
Shakhtar Donetsk, which will play its home matches in the unified group stage of the Champions League in London at Chelsea Stadium, carries the “hopes” of Ukraine, as the club dreams of competing for advanced positions in the most important European competition.
The Ukrainian champion will host its Greek counterpart, AEK Athens, on Wednesday, at Stamford Bridge, in the second round, before hosting Sporting of Portugal, Fenerbahce of Turkey and Real Madrid of Spain.
Sergey Balkin, the club's CEO, told the BBC: "We represent our country and we want Ukraine to be strongly present." He added: “We need the support of the democratic world. We cannot fight this battle alone. When we play in London and other European cities, our goal is to get these messages out and remind people of what's happening. But we dream of the day when we return to playing in Ukraine.”
Shakhtar Donetsk was forced to leave his home city in 2014 when war broke out in the Donbas region, but he was nevertheless able to play his European matches in western Ukraine. But the Russian invasion in 2022 made all matches of Ukrainian clubs and the national team in European championships held outside the country.
Poland, Germany and Slovenia have hosted Shakhtar Donetsk's home matches in recent years, but this season the club agreed with Chelsea to play its Champions League matches at Stamford Bridge, west of London.
Mikel Arteta, coach of the English football team Arsenal, dedicated the victory over Lille, France, by three clean goals in the Champions League, to Ken Fryer, the honorary president of the club, who died at the age of 92, praising his exceptional legacy and his role in the club’s history.
British news agency PA Media reported that Arsenal players wore black armbands during the match held yesterday (Tuesday), in mourning for Freyer, who played a prominent role in the club’s move from Highbury Stadium to Emirates Stadium in 2006.
Urian Timber, Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka scored 3 goals within 7 minutes during the second half, as Arsenal achieved its 14th successive victory in the league or group stage of the Champions League, a series that extends for nearly two years, and scored 6 points from its first two matches in the tournament this season.
Before receiving any questions in the post-match press conference, Arteta said: “Before we start, I would like to say a few words about Ken Fryer.” He added: “It is a very sad day for everyone who loves Arsenal Football Club.” He continued: “I had the honor and privilege to know him, spend time with him and learn from him. There are people in clubs who perform specific roles, and there are others who create the club’s identity, embody its values, and set a vision for its future, and Kane’s legacy will remain forever.” He explained: “I want his family and relatives to know that our feelings towards him can only be described as exceptional. I'm sure he's happy with what the players did tonight. This victory is for him. “I know how proud he is of what we have built.”
Arteta had challenged Saka on the eve of the match that was held yesterday, by scoring 3 goals in every match he played. The England international responded by setting up Eze's goal, before scoring himself just 5 minutes after coming on as a substitute. The Spanish coach said: “After the press conference yesterday, Saka was on the massage bed, and I said to him: Bukayo, I was very harsh on you in the press conference. I wish you good luck tomorrow.” He added: “He was laughing, because he knows me well.” “He accepts this because he wants to become the best possible version of himself.” He continued: “He did not feel at his best yesterday, nor today, because he was ill. He wasn't ready to start, but he was very keen to help the team. When he participated, he left a big mark and gave a distinguished, high-quality performance.”
