Lisandro Martinez has been urged to sit out Manchester United’s next matches after publicly criticising the club’s leadership and recruitment strategy.
Former Premier League striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink called on United to discipline the Argentine defender. He argued that Martinez had valid concerns but should have raised them privately instead of speaking publicly.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Hasselbaink said he agreed with the defender’s points but questioned his decision to air them publicly.
He said Martinez should expect to miss the next match or even several games as a consequence of his comments.
Why Hasselbaink Wants Martinez Dropped
Hasselbaink insisted that players should follow the proper channels when raising concerns about their clubs.
Although he agreed with Martinez’s criticism, he said the defender should face consequences for making the remarks publicly.
The former striker’s comments have put the spotlight on how Manchester United should respond to criticism from one of their senior players.
Martinez Criticises Man United Recruitment
Martinez reportedly criticised Manchester United’s recruitment strategy after their 2–0 Champions League defeat to Atlético Madrid on Tuesday, October 13.
The defender expressed concerns about the club’s investment in the squad. He also questioned whether director of football Jason Wilcox had done enough to improve the team.
His remarks reportedly reflected his frustration with the club’s ability to compete for major trophies.
On Wednesday, October 14, Martinez issued a statement acknowledging that anger and frustration had influenced his decision to speak out.
However, he stood by his concerns and stressed that he wanted Manchester United to challenge for the biggest honours in football.
Carrick Yet to Respond Fully
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick said after the match that he had not watched Martinez’s interview.
He declined to comment on the defender’s remarks immediately after the defeat.
Hasselbaink’s call for disciplinary action has therefore raised questions about whether Martinez could face consequences for his public criticism.
For now, the former striker’s demand represents his personal opinion. The report does not confirm that Manchester United have decided to drop or suspend the Argentine defender.