Jason Wilcox's close friend launches scathing attack on Lisandro Martinez after Man Utd outburst
Jason Wilcox’s former teammate Tim Sherwood has leapt to the Manchester United director of football’s defence after he was criticised by Lisandro Martinez following the Red Devils’ 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
The poor run of form under Michael Carrick continued in the Spanish capital on Tuesday (October 13), as strikes from Pablo Barrios and Ademola Lookman secured a comfortable victory for the home side. United finished the match with ten men after Leny Yoro was sent off with 16 minutes left.
What did Lisandro Martinez say about Jason Wilcox?
Following the match, centre-back Martinez directly called out director of football Wilcox, saying he expected more investment in the playing squad after United signed three outfield first-team players – Andrey Santos, Carlos Baleba and Youri Tielemans – during the summer window.
“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,” Martinez told Amazon Prime Video.
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“Atletico have an amazing team and they deserved to win today.
“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 to make a strong squad to be ready for this kind of night.
“Tonight, it is easy to [blame] the coach, easy to blame the players, but we also have to look at other areas.”
Tim Sherwood calls out Lisandro Martinez comments on Jason Wilcox
And it appears that former Blackburn Rovers midfielder Sherwood is not too happy with Martinez’s comments about his former teammate, having shared a dressing room with Wilcox when the Lancashire side won the 1994/95 Premier League title.
Speaking on The Overlap Daily, Sherwood, who also previously managed Aston Villa and Spurs, told Martinez to “keep your mouth shut, mate” before going on to call him a “bad player”.
“It’s out of order what he’s come out and said,” Sherwood said. “He’s dug him out. Jason, I know he’s my pal and someone I’ve played with for many, many years.
"He’s got a top job there, and he knows full well that it comes with a lot of responsibility, and the pressure is on him to produce the players.
“From the evidence and what we’ve seen on the pitch, they’re saying they ain’t done it, and so the recruitment’s been poor.
“But you still don’t give a licence to one of your players – and a bad player, by the way. Someone who’s having a shocker of a time. He’s just got bullied in the six-yard box by Dominic Solanke in the last few minutes of the game to gift Tottenham a draw, which they deserved. Keep your mouth shut, mate. It’s okay for me to say it from afar, because I’ve made that mistake myself before. I’ve done that. I’ve come out. I’ve talked against the manager. Not against the manager – against the club.”
Minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe attended the match at the Metropolitano and watched on alongside chief executive officer Omar Berrada.
The pair have decided to sack both Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim in the last two seasons, with Carrick now under growing pressure after United’s poor start to the campaign.
“You can’t keep changing, changing, changing the manager,” Martinez added. “What about other areas? I can’t say more.
“Last season, we did everything. We created the base to create an amazing team.”
United return to action away at Leeds United on October 18.
READ MORE: Real reason behind Lisandro Martinez's explosive Man United interview revealed in bombshell report
Topics: Lisandro Martinez, Premier League, Football News
Luke Davies