Tactically, there’s not much to fix. Manchester United lost 2-0 at Atlético Madrid on Tuesday, in the Champions League. Goals from Pablo Barrios and Ademola Lookman. What interests me is the aftermath. Lisandro Martínez, asked about further investment, answered “100%”.
He added, according to The Guardian: “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.”
I read that on Wednesday, my team-sheet folder open on the kitchen table. And I recognised myself. Not in the player. In the technical director. At our place, the technical director is the clubhouse bar. It pays for the transfers: one ball and a set of bibs. If one of my lads tells me he expects more from the bar, I hand him the towel and tell him to go and serve the coffee, all right?
United, though, did their shopping this summer: Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans, plus Karl Darlow, a back-up goalkeeper who arrived on a free from Leeds. Three major signings and a reserve keeper. For me, three signings is a season where nobody moved away.
Martínez also said the defeat was a “mirror” of the club’s state. And he defended Michael Carrick: he is “doing his best”, and you can’t keep changing the manager. I sign that with both hands. I’ve been here since the one before me went off fishing, and nobody has ever suggested replacing me. Well, nobody has offered to come, same thing.
Carrick hasn’t seen the interview. He “half-heard” about it and sees in part the emotions of the game. He doesn’t understand Leny Yoro’s red card either. The gaffer who didn’t see anything, I know the type: that’s me when the club delegate brings up the subs.
A mirror, Freddy. That’s historic honesty. I’m weighing my words.
United have won only twice this season, in all competitions, the last time on 10 September against Sabah FK. Five games without a win. A flat pitch away, mind you.
It’s true, we checked: The Guardian.
