Manchester United are facing internal friction after public criticisms from squad members, exposing a split over tactics and squad investment during a difficult run of results. Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martínez voiced grievances following defeats in the UEFA Champions League, turning the spotlight onto the coaching staff and the club’s board.
Tactical Disagreement Follows Defeat in Italy
The latest friction emerged after Manchester United fell 1-4 to Como at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia, extending their winless run across all competitions to seven matches: four defeats and three draws. Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Fernandes criticized the tactical approach chosen by the coaching staff under Michael Carrick, specifically pointing to the decision not to deploy a man-to-man pressing scheme.
🚨 Bruno Fernandes on his conversation with Lisandro Martínez after the Fulham game:🎙️ Reporter: “Bruno, we saw you speak with Lisandro after the final whistle. What did you say to him?”🗣️ Bruno Fernandes:“Licha came to me and said, ‘Bruno, I’m sorry.’ I told him, ‘You… pic.twitter.com/m7tHwIHTVY”
“It is a decision of the staff not to do man-to-man pressing and occasionally leave space in the back line and try to win the ball,” Fernandes said. He added that while the tactical setup is ultimately the manager’s and staff’s responsibility, players sometimes need to be braver under pressure, taking risks by performing high pressing to make opponents uncomfortable.
Board-Level Criticism Precedes Dressing Room Claims
That public critique followed a similar outburst a week earlier from Martínez, who criticized the club’s leadership following a 0-2 defeat away to Atlético Madrid in the Champions League. Martínez argued that the club’s directors failed to deliver sufficient reinforcements during the transfer window.
“I expected more (investment). 100 percent. I expected more from our technical director (Jason Wilcox),” Martínez said. While acknowledging that the players also needed to improve, his comments drew criticism from those who suggested public attacks on the hierarchy could further destabilize the club.
Gary Neville told Sky Sports that he believes Martínez and teammate Amad Diallo engaged in a heated argument. The speculation intensified after Diallo posted a message on Snapchat reading, “Absolute disgrace, I am left speechless,” which observers linked to the defender’s comments.
Squad Planning and January Window Pressures
The pressure on the club’s hierarchy has turned attention toward the upcoming transfer windows. Manchester United are tracking options such as Truffert to address a recognized shortage at left-back, viewing the January 2027 market as an opportunity to correct recruitment oversights from the summer. The club’s management is preparing for a broader squad overhaul as they attempt to arrest a slide that leaves the side in the middle of the Premier League table after finishing in position 3 last term.
With no official club confirmation regarding the alleged dressing room altercation, the squad’s immediate focus turns to upcoming fixtures as Carrick seeks to restore stability to a faltering campaign.
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