Jamie Carragher's comments defending INEOS have gone viral after Lisandro Martinez blasts Man Utd board

Lisandro Martinez broke the internet with his heavy criticism of Manchester United sporting director Jason Wilcox after his side were beaten in the Champions League by Atletico Madrid.

After going behind inside the first minute through Pablo Barrios, United were then reduced to 10 men in the second half when Leny Yoro was sent off before substitute Ademola Lookman doubled Atleti's lead in the 79th minute.

A disappointing performance at the Metropolitano Stadium saw Michael Carrick's men extend their winless run to five matches in all competitions, though it was Lisandro Martinez's full-time comments that instantly overshadowed the defeat.

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Jamie Carragher defends INEOS with scathing review of Lisandro Martinez

Martinez was brutally honest in his assessment of United's board, stating that he "expects more" from sporting director Jason Wilcox and felt Michael Carrick wasn't backed enough in the transfer window.

After making those bombshell comments on Amazon Prime, the Argentine - who joined Man United from Ajax in 2022 - then doubled down on that stance with more anger-induced comments in an interview with the legendary Peter Schmeichel.

“I try to be positive and try to be honest. We have to change and do more because I think we are capable of being better. We have the players," Martinez told CBS Sports.

“But also, when you watch the games on television, you see the players and the manager, and you point the finger, which is right; we take the responsibility. But also, as a club, I expect more, you know?

“I expect more. I’m not going to close my mouth.

“We need more ambition. We need to talk more about winning the Champions League and winning the Premier League. If we don’t say the truth, nothing will change.”

The 28-year-old received widespread praise from Man United fans for sharing how he feels publicly, and his comments resonate with thousands of supporters.

But they didn't sit well with many pundits, including Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher, who defended INEOS and the United board in his explosive rant about Martinez.

"Doesn’t do anybody good at all, and they will be the story now for the next few days all about this. Every sets of supporters do not like the suits, the guys upstairs, so United fans will lap this up and think it’s great," Carragher said on CBS Sports.

"I think it’s awful that he’s come out and said that right now, I do. And when he’s saying ‘we had a fantastic season’, they didn’t. A manager got sacked last season; they finished third because they had no cup games, and they weren’t in Europe.

"The reason they finished third is because Liverpool and Chelsea were that bad. Now we’re seeing the real Manchester United this season. The reason they didn’t buy players in the summer is that for the last four or five years, since Martinez has been there, I think they’ve been in the Champions League once [this season].

"So for every season you don’t get Champions League money, and every season Man United are spending £200 million, sooner or later it has to stop because the money’s not there."

READ NEXT: Paul Scholes takes fresh swipe at Lisandro Martinez after ‘bullied’ claim following Spurs draw

How Man United's summer has cost them dearly

Carragher raised the point that United didn't have the financial leverage to spend like other clubs because they haven't received Champions League money in recent years.

But INEOS - who spent around £155million on Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba combined - have left Carrick dangerously short in other areas.

United desperately needed a left back, and they are already feeling the effects of not signing one after Luke Shaw's injury, with Ayden Heaven playing out of position at left back against Atleti.

The Red Devils also needed at least a new centre-back, a left winger and centre-forward, failing to invest in either position as they focused on bolstering their midfield.

In the opening months of the season, they have suffered for their lack of depth in key positions, and INEOS only have themselves to blame for not backing their manager enough.