Andre Santos backs Michael Carrick despite Manchester United defeat by Atletico Madrid

Andre Santos has backed Manchester United manager Michael Carrick and the coaching staff after the club’s 2-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

United were beaten at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in the second round of the competition, extending their run without a win to five matches. They have lost three and drawn two of those games.

Speaking to DAZN, Brazilian midfielder Santos apologised to the supporters who travelled to Spain to watch the match.

“I would like to apologise to the fans who travelled to Spain to support us,” he said.

“We certainly trust our manager, the coaching staff and ourselves as players. We are going through a difficult moment, but we have to work hard to change this result.”

Santos’ comments appeared to contrast with those made by his team-mate Lisandro Martinez immediately after the match.

Martinez said Carrick was doing his best, but suggested Manchester United could not rely on the success of the previous season without making changes.

“Carrick is doing his best, but every season is different,” Martinez said. “You cannot continue relying on what you did last season. The opponents know the way you play and every detail. If you do not make changes in the following season, you will face a big problem.”

Manchester United enjoyed an excellent campaign last year, Martinez added, but he believes the club’s management must strengthen the squad to compete with their rivals.

“We had a great season last year and now we expect more from the management by signing more players capable of competing, because rival clubs are bringing in outstanding players,” he said. “Atletico are a great team and thoroughly deserved to win tonight.”

Martinez also called for greater investment and said the squad needed to be equipped for matches of this level.

“I expected 100% more investment. I expect more from our technical director,” he said. “As players, we are performing better, but you need a complete squad ready to play matches of this kind.

“It is easy to blame the manager or criticise the players, but we also have to review the performance of the other departments in the organisation.”

The Argentina defender said repeatedly changing managers was not the only issue Manchester United needed to consider.

“You cannot continue changing managers. What about the other areas?” he said. “Last season, we laid the foundations for building something exceptional.”

Martinez insisted he would continue to demand more from the club and called for ambitions that included winning the Champions League and the Premier League.

“I expect more and I will not keep quiet,” he said. “We need greater ambition and to talk about winning the Champions League and the Premier League.

“Every season we talk about the same thing, and if we do not tell the truth, nothing will change.”

Manchester United signed Yuri Tielemans, Andre Santos and Carlos Baleba during the previous summer transfer window.