Manchester United find themselves embroiled in controversy once more, following Lisandro Martinez's sharp criticisms of the club's hierarchy. The Argentine defender openly slammed the club after a 0-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, insisting the team needs serious reinforcements.
With only one win in their first six Premier League matches and an early exit from the EFL Cup, United have extended their winless streak to five games. In light of these struggles, Martinez voiced his dissatisfaction with the team's leadership, highlighting technical director Jason Wilcox.
However, such conflicts are nothing new for Manchester United. Over the past two decades, even the club's biggest stars have frequently spoken out against coaches, executives, and teammates.
Lisandro Martinez - 2026
Following the defeat to Atletico, Martinez stated that the leadership had not adequately strengthened the team over the summer, despite spending over £150 million.
While he stressed that players must take responsibility, he argued that the club's issues cannot be attributed solely to player and coaching mistakes.
Martinez also expressed his support for Michael Carrick, making it clear that the manager needs a stronger squad to compete successfully in the Champions League.
His comments drew sharp rebuke from former players like Wayne Rooney and Thierry Henry, who deemed the public criticism of the club's hierarchy unacceptable.
Jadon Sancho - 2023
The fallout between Jadon Sancho and Erik ten Hag became one of the loudest sagas of recent years.
After the coach questioned Sancho's training attitude and left him out of the squad for the match against Arsenal, the winger responded with a public statement.
Sancho wrote:
Please don’t believe everything you read! I won't let falsehoods spread about me. I've been working hard in training this week.
I believe there are other reasons for this situation, which I don’t want to discuss. I’ve been made a scapegoat for too long, and it’s unfair.
Refusing to apologise, Sancho was sidelined from the squad and was later sent on loan to Borussia Dortmund in January 2024, with subsequent stints at Chelsea and Aston Villa. His contract with United officially ended in the summer of 2026.
Cristiano Ronaldo - 2022
The return of Cristiano Ronaldo to Old Trafford ended in a loud exit.
In November 2022, the Portuguese star gave a tell-all interview to Piers Morgan, in which he slammed Erik ten Hag, the club's hierarchy, and ownership.
Ronaldo claimed:
Manchester United tried to force me out. I felt betrayed. It’s not just the coach; it's several people in the hierarchy.
His criticism of the club's development since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure was particularly sharp.
He further stated:
There has been no progress at all. I haven’t seen any development since Sir Alex left. Nothing has changed.
When speaking on Ten Hag, Ronaldo was even harsher:
I don’t respect him because he doesn’t show respect to me.
Shortly after, he left the club by mutual consent and signed with Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.
Dean Henderson - 2022
Goalkeeper Dean Henderson accused United's hierarchy of failing to deliver on promises.
The Englishman revealed that after the European Championship, he was told he would be the first-choice keeper, only for David de Gea to keep his spot.
After moving on loan to Nottingham Forest, Henderson told talkSPORT:
Those were probably the toughest 12 months of my career.
I was told I would return and become the number one. But that promise was never fulfilled. Because of that, I turned down several good loan offers.
He labelled that lost season an unacceptable situation and admitted he was left furious.
In 2023, he finally departed United for Crystal Palace.
Paul Pogba - 2020
.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
Pogba's second spell at Manchester United was riddled with conflicts and transfer speculation.
Back in 2018, he had publicly critiqued the cautious tactics under Jose Mourinho.
The midfielder proclaimed:
When we’re playing at home, we should be attacking, attacking, and attacking. This is Old Trafford!
In 2020, Pogba reignited fan grievances when he compared the atmosphere at United to that of the French national team.
He admitted:
The French national team is a breath of fresh air. The atmosphere here is amazing, real magic. We laugh, we have fun, and feel like a family.
Not that we don’t enjoy ourselves at the club, but it’s just different.
In 2022, Pogba departed Manchester and returned to Juventus.
Romelu Lukaku - 2019
Romelu Lukaku moved to United from Everton for £75 million in 2017 but found himself dissatisfied after two seasons.
With negotiations over a move to Inter Milan ongoing, the Belgian expressed his frustration about the club not defending him against transfer speculation.
In a podcast with basketball player Josh Hart, the striker lamented:
There was a lot said about me, but I didn’t feel supported.
For weeks, there were rumours that I wasn’t wanted at the club and that I was going to leave. But no one stepped up to deny it.
Lukaku expected at least a public statement affirming the club's intentions towards him.
He added:
I just wanted to hear that Romelu was going to fight for his place. But that never happened.
Soon after, the Belgian joined Inter.
Wayne Rooney - 2010
Even Wayne Rooney, who became one of Manchester United’s biggest legends, once openly doubted the club’s ambitions.
In October 2010, the striker expressed his desire to leave, citing a lack of guarantees that the team would continue to challenge for major trophies.
Rooney explained:
I met with David Gill, and I didn’t get any guarantees regarding the future squad.
After that, I stated that I wouldn't sign a new contract.
The forward claimed his primary concern was sporting prospects.
He added:
For me, it’s all about winning trophies, just as the club always did under Sir Alex Ferguson. So I think my questions were justified.
However, the conflict concluded surprisingly quickly. Just 48 hours later, Rooney signed a new contract and remained at the club for another seven years.
Carlos Tevez - 2009
Carlos Tevez enjoyed two successful seasons at United on loan, playing in attack alongside Rooney and Ronaldo.
However, by 2009, the Argentine grew tired of waiting for a permanent contract offer.
Tevez stated:
I’ve been waiting for a year and a half for an offer. I don’t know what will happen next.
Manchester United know exactly what they need to pay to keep me.
He also accused the club of disrespecting the fans.
Tevez added:
I’m frustrated that they start playing games with people who support me so warmly at every match.
In the end, Tevez made one of the most painful transfers for fans, signing with arch-rivals Manchester City.
Roy Keane - 2005
Perhaps the most notorious conflict occurred in October 2005.
Following a crushing 1-4 defeat to Middlesbrough, team captain Roy Keane gave an explosive interview on the club's MUTV channel, in which he lambasted his teammates.
The recording was so scandalous that the club decided not to air the program.
Keane stated:
I wasn’t surprised by the result. I expected something like this.
I’m sick of repeating the same thing, and the players are fed up of listening to me. They let down the club, the coach, and the fans.
The Irishman specifically called out several players.
On Darren Fletcher, he remarked:
I don’t understand why Scotland has such admiration for Darren Fletcher.
Kieran Richardson was criticised for his defensive play, while Rio Ferdinand was rebuked for his attitude towards his status.
Keane stated:
If you’re being paid £120,000 a week and you’ve played well for 20 minutes against Tottenham, it doesn’t make you a superstar.
Ultimately, the recording became public knowledge. Keane was fined £5,000 and soon after departed Manchester United, never to play for the club again.
The history of United shows that public conflicts don't always end the same way. While Rooney managed to secure his place in the team and continued to win trophies, Ronaldo, Sancho, Tevez, and Keane left shortly after their outspoken moments.
Now, Lisandro Martinez faces the challenge of how the club's hierarchy and coaching staff will respond to his own statements.
