Rio Ferdinand believes Sir Alex Ferguson would have sold Lisandro Martinez for publicly criticising Manchester United's hierarchy after their Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid.

According to a report by Metro on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, the former United defender said Ferguson would not have tolerated such comments during his time as manager at Old Trafford.

Martinez spoke out after United lost 2-0 to Atletico Madrid, extending their winless run to five matches in all competitions. The Argentine defender called on the club's senior officials to strengthen the squad but insisted that manager Michael Carrick should not carry the blame for the team's poor results alone.

He also questioned whether changing managers repeatedly would solve the club's problems, arguing that other areas needed attention. While admitting that the players had to improve, Martinez said United needed a stronger squad to compete with teams like Atletico.

Ferdinand discussed the situation on his YouTube channel, pointing to previous incidents involving players who fell out with Ferguson. He recalled Roy Keane's departure after publicly criticising the club, as well as Cristiano Ronaldo's exit following his criticism of people within the organisation.

He also mentioned Jaap Stam, who left United after making controversial comments about his teammates in his autobiography. Ferdinand argued that Ferguson would have taken firm action against Martinez if a similar situation had occurred during his reign.

However, Ferdinand acknowledged Martinez's direct personality and suggested that the defender would probably speak to his teammates about his concerns. He warned that the public comments could create tension in the dressing room, especially among players who joined the club during the summer.

According to Ferdinand, new signings might wonder whether Martinez was questioning their ability or contribution to the team. He believes the defender should have discussed the matter privately with his teammates before speaking publicly.

Ferdinand also recalled an incident from his playing days when he reacted angrily to being substituted during a Champions League match against Bayern Munich. Ferguson reprimanded him and imposed a fine, teaching him that disagreements should be handled privately.

Despite United's difficult run, Ferdinand wants Carrick to be given time to improve the team's performances. He pointed to the manager's successful campaign last season and believes the former midfielder should have the opportunity to turn things around.