Atletico Madrid 2–0 United, and then Martinez spoke
The football was the smaller story. United lost 2–0 at Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, conceding inside the first minute, and slipped to a fourth defeat of the season (1) (5) (8). That is five games without a win (5).
Then Lisandro Martinez took the microphone and aimed at his own board. "100 percent. I expect more from our football director. I have to be honest" (1) (2) (9).
He doubled down with Peter Schmeichel for CBS: "As a club, I expect more. I'm not gonna close my mouth, we need to have more ambition" (Reddit).
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Rooney fires back
Wayne Rooney did not let it pass. United's record scorer, working as a Champions League pundit, said Martinez went too far and that the criticism should have stayed inside the building, and that it disrespected his teammates (1) (12).
Carrick: it was emotion
Michael Carrick put it down to the heat of the moment. The manager said the comments came from emotions after the defeat (7).
Conte is watching
Antonio Conte wants the job. Italian journalist Daniele Longo reports Conte feels ready for a new challenge in the Premier League and has set out his conditions to United (5) (10).
Two positives from Madrid
Ayden Heaven came out of the night with credit. The young defender was praised for his display at left-back despite the scoreline (4).
Carlos Baleba, 22, made his first United start and his Champions League debut at the Metropolitano (14).
January shopping list
United want a striker in January and are monitoring Dion Beljo, with Joshua Zirkzee's future uncertain (11).
Also on the radar: Alex Scott, after Bournemouth opened the door to January offers (11), Kevin Schade, who Brentford would sell for over €70m (11), and Brighton's 19-year-old centre-back Luka Vuskovic, valued around €60m (15).
PSG circling Yoro
Paris Saint-Germain are tracking Leny Yoro as his United future stays uncertain (16).
Leeds on Sunday, then Como
Elland Road first. United go to Leeds United on Sunday, October 18 at 15:00 CEST (4) (8).
Then Como away in the Champions League on Wednesday, October 21 at 18:45 CEST, before Bournemouth visit on Sunday, October 25 at 15:00 CET (4) (8).
Fan reactions
The mood on r/reddevils is split between the result and the interview, with the Martinez outburst dominating the threads and the Talk of the Devils podcast rushing an episode out overnight (r/reddevils). One popular post compares average league position and points across the three years before INEOS and the three since. Thread
