Lisandro Martinez 'challenged' by team-mate on flight home as Man Utd plot next steps

One Manchester United player is understood to have challenged team-mate Lisandro Martinez on their flight home from Madrid following his explosive comments in a post-match interview.

United defender Martinez slammed the higher-ups at Old Trafford for not signing enough players in the summer transfer window, leaving the team ill prepared for the Champions League. The 28-year-old even took aim at director of football Jason Wilcox, saying that he 'expects more' from him.

His comments came after Michael Carrick's team suffered a controversial 2-0 loss against Atletico Madrid. Although a large portion of United's fans are on Martinez's side, at least one team-mate didn't agree with the decision to voice his frustration.

Sky Sports report that one player - who is unnamed - challenged the Argentine over his comments as the squad got on board the plane to fly back to Manchester.

The club's board also haven't taken kindly to his interview. Martinez is likely to be hit with a fine and it remains to be seen whether he'll be dropped from the squad ahead of Sunday's game away to Leeds.

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Meanwhile, his long-term future at Old Trafford is uncertain. Martinez's contract is due to expire at the end of this season, and while United have the option to trigger a one-year extension, club chiefs are actively looking to sign a centre-back and find ways of reducing their eye-watering wage bill.

It's added that the ex-Ajax star has been keen to leave for some time, hoping for a move to, coincidentally, Atletico this summer. United paid £57million for Martinez in 2022 and he's won two trophies, both under former manager Erik ten Hag.

Carrick said after the defeat in Spain that he hadn't seen the full interview, but he'll no doubt be questioned on it later this week ahead of United's trip to Elland Road. Martinez told Prime Video Sport: "Really poor. Really poor. I have to control myself a lot but sometimes is a reflection of the mirror of how is our club at the moment.

"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. Today, Atletico have an amazing team and they deserve to win today.

"I expect more [investment]. 100 per cent. I expect more from our technical director [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."

"In general. Last season we did everything, we created the base to create an amazing team. It is annoying, disappointing coming here and I am not seeing my team trying to get an amazing result here. It's disappointing."

He added: "You can't keep changing, changing, changing the manager. What about other areas? I can't say more. Tonight it is easy to say the coach, easy to say the players but also we have to see other areas."