Jason Wilcox: ‘best eyes’ at Manchester United or promoted too far and too fast?

Martínez’s criticism of Wilcox reflects wider frustration at United
Lisandro Martínez, 28, is a World Cup winner who understands what makes football clubs succeed or fail. After the defeat at Atlético Madrid he openly criticised director of football Jason Wilcox, and he was not speaking only for himself. Others at the club share his frustration and expect more from the man overseeing recruitment.

Wilcox is under pressure because the poor results can’t all be blamed on Michael Carrick, who is working with a squad that can’t cope with the demands of the Premier League’s top end or European competition. United sit 13th after one win in six, and clubs live and die by their recruitment.

Martínez’s three years at Ajax showed him how a well-run structure works: homegrown talent mixed with imports who are later sold on at a profit. Few of Wilcox’s signings, Senne Lammens aside, have risen in value. He also passed on the chance to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest a year before Manchester City did, and Anderson’s price then climbed beyond United’s reach. If Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants United run as a business, the poor return on player spending is a fair place to start.

A questionable fit for the role
Wilcox joined in April 2024 after less than a year as Southampton’s director of football, his first senior executive job. Previously he had been Manchester City’s academy director, where he oversaw the emergence of Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers. He was well respected there, but some who have dealt with him believe a senior academy role suits him best.

He was brought back north-west largely because of chief executive Omar Berrada, whom he knew from City. He started as technical director under Dan Ashworth, but Ashworth left after five months and Wilcox was promoted. Some existing staff resented the growing number of ex-City Football Group appointments and the attempt to copy a fierce rival.

Wilcox was also influential in hiring Ruben Amorim, who had a rigid style but not the players for it. Their relationship broke down amid tactical disagreements, hastening the failure of the experiment.

Recruitment and squad balance
Wilcox increasingly favours Premier League experience. This summer Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba arrived from English clubs for a combined £155m. The midfield did need rebuilding, with Casemiro leaving and Manuel Ugarte (currently injured) never reaching the required level. But that spending left no money for a left-back or backup striker.

At Atlético, Carrick had to play 20-year-old centre-back Ayden Heaven out of position to cover for the injured Luke Shaw, which exposed the squad’s lack of depth.

Ratcliffe’s decision
Ratcliffe has been supportive, saying in March 2025 that he understands Wilcox and likes him personally, and the two often sit together at matches. Removing him would be a difficult personal decision, especially with money tight in January and planning focused on next summer.

If results don’t improve, Ratcliffe and Berrada will have to weigh their options. Carrick has far more goodwill with supporters, who have strong doubts about Wilcox. Dismissing him would be popular but would also admit failure at the top. Ratcliffe once praised Wilcox’s “best eyes in the club,” but he can’t ignore what the results are showing.