In the wake of Manchester United's disappointing 2-0 defeat to Chelsea, former Chelsea star Joe Cole has voiced strong criticism of Lisandro Martinez, suggesting that the Argentine defender's time at Old Trafford has come to an end. The match, held at Stamford Bridge, marked another low point for the Red Devils, who are now without a victory in their last nine outings.

The defeat left Manchester United teetering on the brink of the Premier League relegation zone, intensifying the scrutiny on the team's performance and individual players. Morgan Rogers opened the scoring for Chelsea just five minutes into the second half, showcasing a brilliant run through United's midfield before slotting the ball past goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

Martinez, a 2022 World Cup winner with Argentina, struggled significantly during the match, failing to contain Rogers and subsequently receiving a yellow card for a foul on the Aston Villa midfielder. His situation worsened shortly after when he was shown a second yellow card for a forearm to Wesley Fofana during a Chelsea set-piece, leading to his dismissal after a VAR review.

Cole, who was providing commentary for TNT Sports during the match, expressed serious doubts about Martinez's future at the club. He highlighted the defender's frequent mistakes and his inability to adapt to the pressures of the Premier League. "Whatever the next Manchester United looks like, I think Lisandro Martinez has run his course," Cole stated. He acknowledged Martinez's past achievements with Argentina but emphasized that his contributions to Manchester United have been overshadowed by costly errors.

The former midfielder also criticized Martinez's conduct after the final whistle, describing his dismissal as an avoidable mistake that further exacerbated United's struggles. "This is unfathomable. He loses his rag. I think he has been muscled in the corner and he has found himself out of position and lost his rag. It’s a massive mistake," Cole remarked.

Martinez's current contract with Manchester United is set to expire at the end of the season, although the club holds an option to extend it by an additional year. Given the mounting pressure on the team and the defender's recent performances, Cole's comments have sparked further debate about whether the club should consider parting ways with the World Cup winner as they seek to revive their faltering campaign.