Keane calls Manchester United a ‘circus’ after Martinez’s hierarchy attack

Keane says United’s turmoil has become a “circus”

Roy Keane has branded Manchester United “a circus” after Lisandro Martinez publicly criticised the club’s hierarchy and summer recruitment following their 2-0 Champions League defeat by Atletico Madrid.

Martinez’s comments, made in an interview with Amazon Prime, took aim at director of football Jason Wilcox and the United board. He accused the club of lacking ambition and questioned whether enough had been done to strengthen the squad. The remarks came amid what the report describes as United’s worst start to a league season since 1986.

Speaking on The Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast, former United captain Keane said the club appeared divided and disorderly. “It is chaotic there from the top to the bottom,” he said, adding that the atmosphere around Old Trafford felt chaotic and that the club was “like a circus.”

Keane also pointed to the circumstances surrounding the appointment of Michael Carrick as manager, saying there had been better options. He suggested players might likewise feel there were better choices available elsewhere.

Neville warns remarks could anger senior players

Gary Neville said Martinez’s call for more signings could be interpreted as criticism of the players already at the club. He said Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire and other senior team-mates could be “absolutely fuming” because the comments implied that some current players should not be there.

Neville and Keane said they shared some of Martinez’s concerns about United’s direction, but both challenged the defender’s right to speak as he did and questioned his own performances. Keane said he did not regard Martinez as a senior United player and described him as a centre-back who had made “lots of mistakes.”

The report said Martinez issued a statement on Instagram on Wednesday attempting to ease tensions. It also cited Sky Sports reporting that at least one player challenged him over his comments on the flight home from Spain, while noting that some team-mates were said to share his frustration.

Neville questioned why Martinez had singled out Wilcox, arguing that decisions over the transfer budget ultimately rested with the owners. He added that United plainly needed more defenders and said Martinez himself could be among those affected if the club brought in players in that position.

Manchester United had not publicly responded to Martinez’s remarks at the time of the report. The article said he could face possible internal sanctions and an uncertain future, but no action was confirmed.