Club legend Roy Keane brands Man United a 'circus' after Lisandro Martinez criticism

'I think as a reflection of the club, it's obviously chaos there, like a bit of a circus'

CHAOTIC: Roy Keane has branded Manchester United a "circus" following Lisandro Martinez's outburst against the club's hierarchy. Picture: Bradley Collyer/the Press Association.

Thu, 15 Oct, 2026 - 14:14

Manchester United legend Roy Keane believes Lisandro Martinez's criticism of the club hierarchy reflects the "chaos" at Old Trafford.

Speaking on The Overlap podcast, Keane described United as "a bit of a circus".

Speaking after Tuesday's 2-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, Martinez said he had expected more investment in the squad in the summer and "more from our technical director". In a social media post on Wednesday he said he had spoken out of "anger and frustration".

United have won just one of their opening six Premier League games and are without a victory in any competition in five. They take on Leeds United this weekend.

"There will be some fans saying it's great and some saying you're letting the team down, especially from a player who hasn't been at his best, when the team is struggling," said Keane. "I think as a reflection of the club, it's obviously chaos there, like a bit of a circus.

Look at yourself

"When you're going through a difficult spell like United are, the issue I have with certain players saying things is you always have to start with the man in the mirror before you start coming out with all these comments."

Martinez is 28 and out of contract at the end of the season, though United have the option to extend his deal.

"I don't think it will be a big falling-out - because I think we have question marks over this dressing room anyway," Keane said.

I don't think there's enough characters, enough men in there, but I don't see him as a senior player at Manchester United. I see him as a centre-half who's making lots of mistakes."

Former United defender Gary Neville compared the incident to comments made by Wayne Rooney when they were team-mates in 2010.

Rooney pulled out of contract talks, saying he had not received "any of the assurances I was seeking about the future squad". Two days later he signed a five-year deal and later said staying was the best decision of his career.

"I've got a problem with this from a player's perspective," said Neville. "That is a direct attack on the players you are playing with."