Wayne Rooney has blasted Lisandro Martinez’s outburst following Manchester United’s Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid, claiming the defender had an ‘agenda’
Wayne Rooney has pulled no punches as he blasted Lisandro Martinez’s post-match interview. A frustrated Martinez launched a scathing attack on INEOS, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Jason Wilcox after the Red Devils’ 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid.
Michael Carrick’s side are now winless in five, and it has prompted concerns about their trajectory and his future with the club. However, Martinez, instead, pointed the finger at the boardroom for their lack of investment over the summer and technical director Wilcox for not bringing in more signings.
“We did a fantastic season last season and now we expect more from the top, more players to compete because many teams bring many players as well. Atletico have an amazing team and they deserve to win today,” Martinez said.
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“I expect more [investment]. 100%. I expect more from our technical director [Jason Wilcox]. I have to be honest, as players we have to do more but it is also important when you make a strong squad to be ready for this kind of night,” reports the Mirror.
His remarks have infuriated Rooney, who reckons Martinez has potentially triggered additional turmoil within United’s changing room and disrupted harmony amongst his colleagues.
“It’s a difficult one because I always used to feel like I was outspoken as a player and you want to have your opinion, but I think he’s maybe gone too far,” Rooney said in response.
“That should be down to the manager, and that should stay internal because the fans want to hear the players speak and they want to see them care.
“He clearly cares and wants the club to invest more money and more players, and if they do that, I think he’ll be one of the players out of the door if I’m being honest with his performances.
“His performances haven’t been good enough but I think in some ways he is right, in terms of the club need to invest more at the top end of the pitch and in defence as well.
“I think it looks like that was a bit of an agenda from him because that doesn’t mirror the performance. I thought the performance was better.
“I think it’s a bit disrespectful to his team-mates as well because he’s disrespecting his team-mates, he’s saying they’re not good enough. I think Bruno is probably the only one who has any right coming out and saying something like that, if I’m being honest as captain.
“And even then it should be behind closed doors if there are issues, which does happen. Players have conversations with the manager, the manager then has a conversation with the board. But that interview there, it’s not going to help the situation the club is in at the minute.
“Now all that’s going to bring is more noise around it, the players are unhappy, they’re unsettled, they don’t trust in their own team-mates, that’s not going to help at all.”
Former United skipper Rooney reckons Martinez had self-serving reasons behind his interview and suspects it was orchestrated beforehand. “I think it looks like a player trying to look after himself in my opinion.
“He’s probably disappointed he hasn’t been offered a new contract and there’s reasons he’s not been offered a new contract. I think the Martinez was very premeditated. Why is he doing the interview after this game? Has he put himself forward?
“I very rarely hear him speak. It looked a bit premeditated and something he spoke about with his team to get out there.
“It’s sad because when you need everyone to stick together as players, you can’t be told what’s going on above you, so you need the players, the manager.
“And the coaching staff to stick together when you’re having a difficult time; otherwise, something like that will rip a dressing room apart.”