Martinez blasts United bosses after latest loss

Lisandro Martinez added to Manchester United's troubled start to the season by calling out the club's hierarchy following a 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday.

In a post-game interview, Martinez questioned the club's offseason recruitment after it had secured a return to the Champions League this season.

"I have to control myself a lot, but sometimes it's a reflection in the mirror of how our club is at the moment," Martinez told Amazon Prime. "We had a fantastic season last season. And, now, we expect more from the top ... to bring in more players to compete, because many teams brought in many players, (like) Atletico today, they have an amazing team and they deserved to win.

"I expect more from our technical director. I have to be honest, as the players, we have to do more, but it's just as important to build a strong squad to be ready for this kind of night."

Jason Wilcox is United's director of football and the club spent around $213 million on players like Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos in the summer, but it has endured a difficult start to the campaign.

Defeat in Madrid extended United's winless run to five games in all competitions. It has won only once in the Premier League and is 13th in the standings.

"Last season, we did everything, we created the base to be an amazing team," Martinez said. "It's annoying — disappointing — to come here and I'm not seeing my team trying to get an amazing result here."

Pablo Barrios scored in the first minute for Atletico and Ademola Lookman sealed victory in the 79th, scoring five minutes after United was reduced to 10 men when a foul by Leny Yoro was upgraded to a red card following a VAR review.

The latest setback will add to the pressure on United coach Michael Carrick.

"You start changing, changing, changing manager. But what about other areas?" Martinez said. "I can't say more."

'This victory is for Koke'

Man United has made its worst domestic start in 40 years and this league-phase defeat in the Spanish capital was another blow.

Carrick handed Baleba his first start for the club since arriving from Brighton in the summer, as well as pushing captain Bruno Fernandes out to the right side.

Atletico was without its skipper Koke, after the death of his mother, while coach Diego Simeone started Julian Alvarez for the first time this season at the Metropolitano Stadium, after he tried to force a departure this summer.

"As well as for the team, it was very important (to win) for Koke and all of his family," said Barrios.

"It's a very tough day for them. This victory is for them.

"Getting the goal so soon helped us manage the game later. I'm really happy for the win."

Atletico's "ultras" ordered the team and its supporters to "defend what we love" with a banner display before kickoff, and the Rojiblancos were ahead after just 50 seconds.

Alex Baena found a way in behind United's defense and cut the ball across for Barrios, with United center-back Ayden Heaven unable to keep the midfielder's shot from crossing the line.

Barrios held up six fingers to pay tribute to Koke. "It was really tough news for everyone and I said that, if I scored, I would do that," added Barrios.

Carrick had said it was important to get off to a fast start, but his team was unable to follow his instructions.

Bryan Mbeumo might have equalized for the visitor, nudging the ball through Cristian Romero's legs, but firing just wide.

Alejandro Grimaldo came inches away from extending Atletico's lead with a free kick, which hit the corner between the post and the crossbar.

The host thought it had a second when Johnny Cardoso finished neatly from the edge of the box before halftime, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review showed the ball had struck Marcos Llorente's hand during the buildup.

Carrick withdrew playmaker Fernandes, looking ahead to the weekend trip away to bitter rival Leeds in the English top flight, where an improvement in performance is badly needed.

"It is very hard to say after a defeat that there are positives. We just have to try hard to keep working and keep trusting in our structure," United midfielder Tielemans told Amazon Prime.

"We have to keep working, keep trusting each other and be together on this."