Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has criticised the club's hierarchy over what he believes was insufficient investment in the squad following Tuesday's 2-0 Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid.
United's latest loss extended their winless run across all competitions to five matches, adding further pressure on manager Michael Carrick following the club's worst start to a Premier League season in 40 years.
Martinez described the performance in Madrid as "really poor" before suggesting the team's struggles reflected wider problems within the club.
The Argentina international said he had expected greater investment during the summer after United finished third in the Premier League last season and secured a return to the Champions League.
Martinez specifically called for more from technical director Jason Wilcox, while also acknowledging that the players had to accept responsibility for their performances.
He argued that United had established a strong foundation last season but had failed to build sufficiently on that progress ahead of the new campaign.
United reportedly spent around £140 million during the summer on midfielders Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, but supporters had also wanted reinforcements in other areas, particularly at left-back and centre-forward.
Martinez also defended Carrick amid growing scrutiny surrounding the manager's position.
The defender suggested repeatedly changing managers would not solve United's problems and urged greater examination of other areas within the club.
Tonight it is easy to say the coach, easy to say the players, but also we have to see other areas," Martinez said.
Minority owner Jim Ratcliffe was in attendance as Atletico handed United another setback in the Champions League.
Carrick said after the match that he had not heard Martinez's comments and therefore did not want to judge them directly.
The United manager suggested the defender may have been speaking emotionally following the disappointment of the defeat.
Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, however, felt Martinez had gone too far by publicly questioning the club's hierarchy.
Rooney said such concerns should have remained internal, while acknowledging that Martinez's comments demonstrated his desire to see United strengthen their squad.
The defeat in Madrid has intensified scrutiny around United after a difficult opening to the campaign, with both the players and club leadership now facing increasing pressure to reverse their poor run of form.
