Lisandro Martinez

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Manchester United fans hail 'absolute class' Lisandro Martinez after his impressive pre-season debut... and one takes a dig at Harry Maguire and Co by admitting it's 'so good to see a CB who isn't going to screw up with the ball at his feet'

* Manchester United were held to a draw by Rayo Vallecano in their final friendly
* Lisandro Martinez started his first game for the club since move from Ajax
* Fans took to social media to heap praise on the Argentinian defender

Manchester United fans have heaped praise on Lisandro Martinez after he made his pre-season debut during Sunday's draw with Rayo Vallecano.

The 24-year-old Argentinian defender officially completed his £55million move from Ajax last week to reunite with Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.

United played their final pre-season game against the LaLiga side on Sunday and they were held to a 1-1 draw.

Amad Diallo gave United the lead with a close-range rebound three minutes after the break but Rayo Vallecano drew level through Alvaro Garcia Rivera's finish after 57th minutes.


Lisandro Martinez made his Manchester United debut in Sunday's draw with Rayo Vallecano. The 24-year-old defender officially completed his £55million move from Ajax last week. One fan took a dig at Harry Maguire and other United defenders after watching Martinez play

Despite being held to a draw, it was the performance of Martinez that caught the attention of supporters on social media before he was replaced by Eric Bailly on the hour mark.

One fan wrote: 'Wah!!! This guy is going to be great and too good... imagine how good he is even with just few hours of training... He will actually be a serious plus for united when fully fit'.

A second fan commented: 'Just what Manchester United needs at the moment, a central defender who is good and calm with the ball at his feet. Great signing from Ten Hag'.

Meanwhile, a third fan took a dig at club captain Harry Maguire and the other centre backs in the squad, saying: 'So good to see a CB at United who isn't going to screw up with the ball at his feet. Looks incredibly composed - Great OT debut'.

'He just fitted right in. He's gonna do wonders as a united player', said a fourth fan while another added, 'This guy is absolute class'.

Manchester United will open their Premier League campaign with a home game against Graham Potter's Brighton on Sunday.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11068469/Manchester-United-fans-hail-absolute-class-Lisandro-Martinez-impressive-pre-season-debut.html

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'He reminds me of Gabriel Heinze': Rio Ferdinand impressed by elements of Lisandro Martinez's game but urges top strikers to target Manchester United defender because of his height

* Lisandro Martinez made his premier League debut against Brighton on Sunday
*United lost the game 2-1 but Martinez did show some promising signs
* Rio Ferdinand says he sees similarities with former defender Gabriel Heinze

Rio Ferdinand says that new Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez reminds him of former Red Devils and Real Madrid centre-back Gabriel Heinze.

Martinez made his Premier League debut in Sunday's defeat to Brighton, impressing some fans but underwhelming others.

He was fortunate not to give away a penalty and there were moments where his lack of height looked like it could be an issue.

Speaking on his podcast Vibe with Five, Ferdinand said: 'He reminds me of Gabi Heinze a little bit but better on the ball'.


Lisandro Martinez made his Premier League debut against Brighton on Sunday. Rio Ferdinand was impressed by some things he saw from United's new defender. Ferdinand says Martinez reminds him a little of former United defender Gabriel Heinze

However, Ferdinand also believes the league's top strikers should try and target him.

'Kane, Haaland, Nunez, Wood, Mitrovic, Welbeck... these guys, if I'm them I just go and stand on him when the ball's wide.

'Just because of the height difference you just do it. Then it's up to him if he can he deal with it.'

Martinez will be key if United are going to turn things around after picking up where they left off last season.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11092763/He-reminds-Gabriel-Heinze-Rio-Ferdinand-impressed-elements-Lisandro-Martinezs-game.html

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It's no surprise that 5ft 9in centre back Lisandro Martinez is being targeted and Man United's £55m summer signing had a torrid evening at Brentford... proving size DOES matter!

* Manchester United were thrashed by Brentford on Saturday evening
* Summer signing Lisandro Martinez had a particularly difficult game for United
* He was targeted by Ivan Toney, and could not contain the Brentford striker
* Martinez was hauled off at half time after United conceded four first half goals
* His disastrous start at United shows that size does matter in the Premier League

Size matters (sometimes). When I was facing a team, I’d choose a centre back to target, maybe after looking down at him in the tunnel.

Wimbledon’s Chris Perry, although he had a good spring, was 5ft 9in. I was 6ft 4in and scored against them in October 1997. There was a long ball, I beat Perry in the air, leaving him on his backside, and scored to secure a 1-0 win for Blackburn. Job done.

It’s natural, and that’s why opponents have been targeting Manchester United’s 5ft 9in centre back Lisandro Martinez.

Brighton did it last weekend, abandoning their usual plan of playing out from the back to send long balls towards Martinez. Brentford saw that and targeted him, too, feeling it was a weak link they could expose.


Lisandro Martinez endured a difficult evening against Brentford on Saturday. It looked like he was deliberately targeted by Ivan Toney, and Martinez came off second best. Toney did the same thing against Arsenal's Ben White at the start of last season

It’s smart. It’s streetwise. You’ll take advantage of your opponents any way you can.

Like how Brentford striker Ivan Toney targeted Ben White at the start of last season on his Arsenal debut. Toney beat up White in that 2-0 win.

If you feel you can get the better of someone, why wouldn’t you use that? Martinez was one of three men hooked at half-time by Erik ten Hag on Saturday — the ultimate humiliation for a footballer — and it’s been a rough welcome to the Premier League for him.

After seeing Martinez dominated individually, other strikers will be targeting him now. I know I would.

Although we have to say, it would be unfair to lay the blame entirely on Martinez. Not a single player in Ten Hag’s team has come out of the last two defeats with any credit.

There was only one shower across the country on Saturday and that was Manchester United.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11111129/CHRIS-SUTTON-Man-Uniteds-Lisandro-Martinez-targeted.html

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Jamie Carragher rips into Lisandro Martinez claiming the 5ft 9in defender is too small to 'play in a Premier League back four' as United's opponents will target the 24-year-old after his poor performance against Brentford

* Sky Pundit Jamie Carragher has slammed Lisandro Martinez for being too small
* Carragher said 'you should never judge players too early' but aired his concerns
* The 5ft 9in defender was dominated during Man United's 4-0 loss to Brentford
* Carragher said Martinez would never succeed in the Premier League as a result

Jamie Carragher criticised Lisandro Martinez for his performance against Brentford on Saturday and said that the 5ft 9in defender would never succeed in the Premier League.

The centre-back joined Manchester United in July after signing a £55million deal from Ajax. The switch has seen him link back up with his former boss Erik ten Hag after playing under the Dutch manager for three years.

However, Martinez has struggled to his the ground running at Old Trafford and came under-fire following his performance during United's 4-0 loss to Brentford on Saturday.

Carragher said 'you should never judge players too early' but aired his concerns over the signing of Martinez. He said the 24-year-old's height would be an issue for Erik ten Hag.

The Sky Sports pundit thinks Martinez is too small to play in a back four system. He says that defender would be more suited to a left-back position or a back three style.

Speaking on Monday Night Football, Carragher said: 'The other problem he's got is the signing of Lisandro Martinez.


Jamie Carragher criticised Lisandro Martinez (above) for his performance against Brentford. Carragher said 'you should never judge players too early' but aired his concerns over Martinez. Carragher said Martinez would never succeed in the Premier League as he is 5ft 9in tall. The Sky Sports pundit said that teams are starting to individually target the defender

'Now, we should never judge managers or players too early, but I'm convinced this can't work because the size of him playing in a back four.

'Maybe he could go left-back, maybe he could play in a back three, but in a back four, he cannot play there in the Premier League.'

Standing at 5ft 9in, Martinez is currently the smallest centre-back in the Premier League and the height difference was apparent in United's mortifying loss on Saturday.

Both Brighton and Brentford targeted Martinez individually. They played long balls over the top in the direction of the 24-year-old defender.

Carragher went on to further his point by using fact and statistics. He said: 'Brighton are one of the best passing teams you'll see in the Premier League.

'So against Manchester United, they actually went 20 per cent of their passes long, the highest they've done since August 2021, the start of last season.

'Last season's average was 12 per cent, so they doubled what they were doing because of the size of the Manchester United centre-back.

'Brentford's manager, Thomas Frank, mentioned what Brighton did after the game. They went from 16 per cent to 21 per cent, again another jump.

And the reason why they're gonna have a huge problem with [Martinez] at centre-back is every single team that play Manchester United - maybe bar Man City and Liverpool, who might feel, 'we don't need to change for Man United' - should target that. And if they don't, they're crackers.

'They really should do that and I think [United] have got a huge problem. And Ten Hag has got his finger prints a little bit over this team, and I think the two or three things he's influenced are not working.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11115523/Jamie-Carragher-rips-Lisandro-Martinez-claiming-small-play-Premier-League.html

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'He's not special at anything!': Graeme Souness still believes £57m Lisandro Martinez will FAIL at Manchester United despite his improved form as he accuses the 'vertically challenged' centre-back of diving in too much

* Graeme Souness believes Lisandro Martinez will struggle at Manchester United
* Souness says it'll be a mismatch when he faces Erling Haaland and Darwin Nunez
* The ex-Liverpool boss is adamant that Martinez isn't special in any area
* He believes the defender's height will prove a problem in the Premier League

Graeme Souness believes Lisandro Martinez will fail at Manchester United as he doesn't think the defender is special at anything.

Martinez arrived at Old Trafford from Ajax this summer in a deal worth up to £57million and came in for criticism as United lost their opening two games of the season, shipping six goals.

In the end it was defensive partner Harry Maguire who was dropped, with Martinez retaining his place alongside Raphael Varane despite question marks over the Argentine's 5ft 9in frame.

That was before the new arrival silenced his doubters in back-to-back victories over Liverpool and Southampton, when he produced two commanding defensive displays to inspire Erik ten Hag's men to six points out of six.

Yet despite his upturn in fortunes, Souness still believes Martinez's height will cause further problems down the road, particularly when he faces more physical strikers.


Lisandro Martinez has had a topsy-turvy start to life at Man United after his switch from Ajax. Pundit Graeme Souness has not been impressed by Martinez's start to the season for United. Martinez registered his first clean sheet as a Man United player at Southampton on Saturday

'I was watching the game at the weekend, they [Southampton] were putting Che Adams up against him and the goalkeeper and other members of that Southampton team were loading it down that left-hand side trying to stick it on his [Martinez] head,' Souness told talkSPORT.

'He's vertically challenged and I was racking my mind to come up with anyone who's played in the Premier League or indeed the [old] first division that size and been a success.

'I think he will get sorely tested and be found out going forward. Against Haaland, Nunes or Mitrovic, oh deary me, it will be a mismatch.

Back-to-back wins for United has galvanised a side who were in the depths of despair just two weeks ago following their 4-0 mauling at Brentford.

Since the defeat in west London, a backline consisting of Martinez and Varane have conceded just once to help Ten Hag's men overcome both Liverpool and Southampton.

But the former Newcastle boss is not yet sold on the 24-year-old and gave his overriding opinion on what he has seen since his arrival.

'He's not particularly special at anything,' said Souness.

'I would say he's feisty and he's aggressive. The other thing I don't like about him is he goes to ground too readily. That's not a good sign for a defender.

'The clever ones stay on their feet and are reading it, they are there, they are anticipating. If you're lunging all the time it means you're not reading it.

'But I come back to his size, he will get found out in the Premier League.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11157123/Hes-not-special-Souness-believes-57m-Lisandro-Martinez-FAIL-Man-United.html

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Lisandro Martinez 'told Ajax official he is a "F****** NOBODY"' in foul-mouthed bid to force his £55m move to Manchester United... leading to further player revolts at the Dutch club from reunited team-mate Antony and Mohammed Kudus

* Lisandro Martinez allegedly made a sweary rant at the Ajax technical director
* Martinez called Gerry Hamstra 'a f****** nobody' in a bid to force his move away
* Argentine defender Martinez later joined Manchester United in a deal for £55m
* Other Ajax player revolts have included Man U's Antony, and Mohammed Kudus

Lisandro Martinez allegedly laid a foul-mouthed outburst at Ajax techical director Gerry Hamstra to try and force through his move to Manchester United.

Earlier this year, Martinez joined the Red Devils in a £55m move - but not without throwing a tantrum, and calling Hamstra a 'f****** nobody'.

It is not the only time players have revolted to try and get away from the Johan Cruyff Arena this summer, with Antony going on strike ahead of his own big money move to United, and Mohammed Kudus reportedly refusing to train with Ajax in a bid to force a move to Everton.

Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf said the Argentine international went nose-to-nose with Hamstra, in a bid to let him out of Ajax to reunite with Erik ten Hag, newly appointed manager at Old Trafford this summer.

Martinez was frustrated at Ajax for wishing to retain his services, and this feeling led the defender to swear at 52-year-old Hamstra, before declaring that the departure of former technical director Marc Overmars had left him 'alone' at the Dutch club.


Defender Lisandro Martinez reportedly swore at Ajax technical director Gerry Hamstra

The 24-year-old's five-year-deal in England was confirmed a few days after the spat, after drawn out negotiations between the European giants concluded.

Meanwhile, Kudus has agreed personal terms with Everton, but has stopped training with Ajax in a bid to force the Dutch champions to negotiate with the blue half of Merseyside.

It follows on from Antony's decision not to train with Ajax, ahead of an £86m switch to Manchester United.

With player backlash working to the advantage of Martinez and Antony, it is not surprising to see 22-year-old Ghanaian Kudus try the same tactic in a bid to move to north-west England.

Earlier today, Sportsmail reported that Mexican midfielder Edson Avarez has also stopped training with the Dutch champions, amid rumoured interest from Chelsea.

Ajax are in a period of change following the departure of ten Hag since the end of last season, and several of their key players, so their desire to hold onto players is also understandable.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11170127/Lisandro-Martinez-called-Ajax-official-F-bid-force-Manchester-United-move.html

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Paul Scholes says Lisandro Martinez is ALREADY indispensable to Man United after he swatted Arsenal aside... and Graeme Souness notes how he crunched Liverpool's Mo Salah to leave him 'looking'

* Manchester United made it four straight wins as they beat Arsenal 3-1 on Sunday
* Lisandro Martinez put in another commanding performance in their defence
* £55m summer signing from Ajax has quickly made an impact at Old Trafford
* But he was forced off with an injury late in Sunday's win over the Gunners
* Legend Paul Scholes is concerned United will be weaker if he misses games

Paul Scholes believes Lisandro Martinez is already indispensable to Manchester United and hopes he won't be sidelined for too long after going off injured against Arsenal.

The £55million summer signing from Ajax has quickly dispelled worries about his lack of height with a series of commanding displays alongside Raphael Varane in United's back line.

Martinez was again highly effective during United's 3-1 win over the Gunners on Sunday afternoon but he was forced off with 10 minutes remaining after appearing to hurt his groin clearing the ball.

United legend Scholes said: 'At United it's about the determination more than anything. You know the talent is there but it's about getting up to people, stopping people, getting up to people, being solid at the back.


Lisandro Martinez celebrates Manchester United's 3-1 win over Arsenal on Sunday afternoon. The Argentine, a £55million summer signing from Ajax, has made a positive start at United

'Having that solid back four now is helping them. Martinez coming out of that might be a worry going forward.'

Premier League leaders Arsenal played well at Old Trafford but suffered their first loss of the campaign.

Scholes added: 'I go back to possession where Mikel Arteta's saying he's in control of the game with his interview there. It doesn't matter.

'There are so many teams in these big games where they come away from Old Trafford a lot of times in big games wondering how have we not won, we've played great.'

Martinez was replaced late on at Old Trafford by captain Harry Maguire, who was booked almost instantly for bringing down Gabriel Jesus.

But he helped United hold on to their 3-1 lead handed them by debutant Antony and a double from Marcus Rashford after Bukayo Saka had equalised for Arsenal.


Paul Scholes, believes Martinez is already indispensable to the team. Martinez roughed up Mohamed Salah as United beat Liverpool 2-1 at Old Trafford last month

United begin their UEFA Europa League group campaign against Real Sociedad on Thursday before a trip to Crystal Palace next Sunday as they aim to extend their winning run.

Argentina international Martinez, 24, had worked with manager Erik ten Hag at Ajax and was signed to bolster a fragile United back line.

He tweeted after Sunday's win: 'Vamos equipo!!! Great winning mentality & fighting spirit to get another big win today. Well done everyone! Massive shout-out to our fans!!!'

Several United players, including Bruno Fernandes, Tyrell Malacia, Anthony Elanga and Alejandro Garnacho left comments underneath in appreciation of his display.

Martinez has started all six of United's Premier League games this season.

He was hooked for Varane with United 4-0 down to Brentford last month but, unlike Maguire, retained his place and has impressed in the matches since.

United responded to that debacle with wins over Liverpool, Southampton, Leicester City and Arsenal.

Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness commented on the impact of Martinez over the weekend as well, reflecting on United's 2-1 win over Liverpool last month and the job he did on Mohamed Salah.

'I'm looking at Salah for Liverpool against Man United and in the first five minutes Martinez goes right through him,' Souness said.

'The rest of the game, Mo Salah looked for Martinez and looked for where he was.

'I've not seen the same Mo Salah since. I just hope - and he's signed the big contract he wanted, but at this level if you knock off half a per cent or one per cent then you are not the same player.

'I hope this is not him getting semi into his armchair because he has signed a big contract.

'I'm saying that as a Liverpool supporter, hopefully to make him angry and prove me wrong.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11180733/Paul-Scholes-says-Lisandro-Martinez-indispensable-Man-United.html

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'You're getting carried away - I would NOT want to play with a 5ft9in centre back': Jamie Carragher tells Gary Neville he still sees issues with Man United's 'too small' Lisandro Martinez... despite his form

* Jamie Carragher continues to be underwhelmed by United's Lisandro Martinez
* The defender started off shaky for the club but has put in improved displays
* Carragher was involved in a back and forth with Neville about Martinez's form
* The Liverpool legend still thinks the Argentine is too small for the top flight

Jamie Carragher remains unconvinced by Man United defender Lisandro Martinez - claiming he would not want a 5ft 9in defender on his team.

The Argentine centre-back joined Old Trafford in a £55million deal this summer from Ajax and had a shaky first two games as United were beaten by Brighton and Brentford - though he improved in his next four after Ten Hag dropped Harry Maguire and paired Martinez with Raphael Varane.

Martinez's return to form was brought up by Gary Neville at his latest episode of The Overlap, co-hosted by his fellow pundit Carragher, who insists he would be reluctant to play against someone of his height.

The Liverpool legend was scathing of Martinez after he was left exposed in United's 4-0 away loss to Brentford and said his move to United 'can't work' after both Brighton and the Bees played balls over the top of him.


Jamie Carragher is refusing to back down on his belief that Lisandro Martinez is too small. The Sky Sports pundit told Gary Neville he was getting 'carried away' over the defender's form

Speaking on the YouTube show, Neville said to Carragher: 'Have you changed your mind on Martinez, by the way?'

'No,' Carragher responded. 'I think he's a good player. I wouldn't want a centre-back who was 5ft 9" in my team. I would not.'

After Neville pressed him on his view that the deal 'couldn't work', Carragher hit back and accused his colleague of getting 'carried away' about his form so early into the season, claiming that had Martin Odegaard not missed against United for Arsenal then the player would be getting criticised again.


Martinez recovered from a rocky start to his United career and has impressed in recent weeks

'We'll see, he added. We've had four games [of Martinez being in form]. You're getting carried away. If Odegaard scores the opening goal then you'll be saying he made a mistake. But for a defender to be 5ft 9" and play, never mind in the Premier League, at any level of football, he's got to be a good player. Because that is not normal.

'His passing is very good, he looks aggressive. He looks like a leader. He's not a bad player, but to play at that level of football at 5ft 9" - I wouldn't want to play alongside someone who was 5ft 9" as a centre back.'

Carragher conceded that there have been some fantastic defenders who were smaller than others - such as Franco Baresi - but said a top centre back had to make up for his lack of height with incredible ability.

'Think of the best centre backs to ever play. Bobby Moore, wins the World Cup. Franco Baresi, I would say he's the best centre back to every play, in my eyes,' Carragher continued.

'I didn't see Bobby Moore play but Baresi was lightening quick, amazing on the ball, he organised the whole defence and he was still 5ft 9", 5ft 10".

'So for Martinez to play at this level, he's obviously a good player. He has to be, because of his height. But at times, that will cost him. But if he is nine out of ten at everything else, it will compensate for being 5ft 9". Because at times, if you are that height, you will get exposed as we saw in the first two games.


Carragher insisted the move to OId Trafford 'can't work' because of his notably small build. United have conceded just twice in the last four games in which Martinez has played. The Liverpool legend believes teams are targeting the player by playing balls over his head

'I wasn't the biggest centre back and I found it more difficult playing against a Kevin Davies, Bobby Zamora, Carlton Cole, rather than playing against a United or Chelsea or City. Because those games were more about reading the game.'

Carragher first set out his issues with Martinez after United's humbling by Brentford last month, saying Ten Hag had a real problem on his hands after signing the league's smallest centre back and even claimed he might have to shift him to left-back.

'The other problem he's got is the signing of Lisandro Martinez.

'Now, we should never judge managers or players too early, but I'm convinced this can't work because the size of him playing in a back four.

'Maybe he could go left back, maybe he could play in a back three, but in a back four, he cannot play there in the Premier League.

'Brighton are one of the best passing teams you'll see in the Premier League.

'So against Manchester United, they actually went 20 per cent of their passes long, the highest they've done since August 2021, the start of last season.

'Last season's average was 12 per cent, so they doubled what they were doing because of the size of the Manchester United centre back.

'Brentford's manager, Thomas Frank, mentioned what Brighton did after the game. They went from 16 per cent to 21 per cent, again another jump.

'And the reason why they're going to have a huge problem with [Martinez] at centre back is every single team that play Manchester United - maybe bar Man City and Liverpool, who might feel, "we don't need to change for Man United" - should target that. And if they don't, they're crackers.

'They really should do that and I think [United] have got a huge problem. And Ten Hag has got his finger prints a little bit over this team, and I think the two or three things he's influenced are not working.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11184569/Manchester-United-Jamie-Carragher-stands-claim-Lisandro-Martinez-small.html

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Lisandro Martinez admits he is 'surprised' by how quickly Man United fans have taken to him after chants of 'Argentina!' from their supporters... as the £55m signing claims he has joined the 'best club in the world'

* Lisandro Martinez has quickly become a fan favourite at United since his arrival
* Fans have been chanting 'Argentina, Argentina' in support of the defender
* Martinez has formed a solid defensive partnership with Raphael Varane

Summer signing Lisandro Martinez has admitted he is 'surprised' that Manchester United fans are already singing songs about him.

Martinez, speaking after the 2-0 win over Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League on Thursday night, said he was 'proud' that United supporters had taken to him so quickly.

The defender was signed in a £55 million transfer from Ajax and his arrival was initially met with criticism, with pundits and fans concerned that the diminutive Argentine would not have the physicality to cope with the Premier League.

But despite his smaller stature, Martinez has been an integral part of United's upturn in form and has started to gain support from the club's fans.

He told MUTV: 'I am really happy. I'm a little bit surprised, but at the same time I feel very proud.

'To come here to the best club in the world and the people say "Argentina, Argentina", it's amazing. Thanks to the fans for the support.'

United supporters have revived their chants of 'Argentina' following the arrival of Martinez. It was also sung for the likes of Gabriel Heinze and Juan Sebastian Veron during their respective spells at Old Trafford.


Lisandro Martinez has been surprised about how quickly Man United fans have taken to him. Man United supporters have been chanting 'Argentina, Argentina' in support of the defender. The defender has been part of Man United's recent upturn in form in with his performances

Martinez has formed a solid central defensive partnership with former Real Madrid star Raphael Varane, which has helped the club win five of the previous six games - including Thursday's victory in Moldova.

The 24-year-old is now due to fly out for international duty with Argentina for friendly fixtures against Honduras and Jamaica.

Martinez was due to be involved this weekend with the rest of the Man United squad, but the Premier League game against Leeds at Old Trafford has been postponed due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Boss Ten Hag has admitted that the break is 'useful' as it will allow the club to have meetings about further strengthening the team.

He said: 'It's very useful. We have many meetings, we have to improve the structures in and around the club. We will also look to the window in January or next summer already to improve our way of playing by making plans.

'Of course, [you get these] periods after a game, but we have to be ready for that and many players, let's say 90 per cent, are away.

'But the others, we will train properly and for the rest we have to prepare very well. I hope that everyone stays fit and return back healthy and then we have to get into attack.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11219025/Lisandro-Martinez-admits-surprised-quickly-Man-United-fans-taken-him.html

[Andi Istiabudi]

MARTINEZ EXPRESSES HIS NATIONAL PRIDE

Lisandro Martinez has expressed his pride at performing for Argentina once again - this time as a Manchester United player.

The centre-back made his first international appearance since signing for the Reds in the summer, as the South Americans faced Honduras at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium on Friday night.

Wearing the no.2 shirt at the heart of the defence, 'Licha' helped to keep a clean sheet as a 16th-minute opener by his namesake Lautaro Martinez and a double from iconic forward Lionel Messi secured a comprehensive 3-0 win.

Messi's penalty in first-half injury time and sumptuous chip in the 69th minute were his 87th and 88th goals for Argentina in 164 games. Meanwhile, United defender Martinez has eight caps to his name, having made his debut in a 3-1 defeat to Venezuela back in March 2019.

After Friday's win over Honduras, Lisandro tweeted a succinct message - "Pride and happiness every time we represent our country" - and three photos from the game, showing him in the starting line-up, celebrating with team-mates including Messi and making a trademark robust tackle on Honduras midfielder Omar Elvir.

Martinez is the seventh Red to play for Argentina's senior side while on United's books, after Juan Sebastian Veron, Gabriel Heinze, Carlos Tevez, Angel Di Maria, Marcos Rojo and Sergio Romero.

Young striker Alejandro Garnacho hopes to follow in their footsteps after earning several Under-20 caps for the South American giants.

When interviewed after the game by TyC Sports in Argentina, Martinez reflected on his move to United and revealed how he responded to media criticism after the early defeats with his new club.

"To be honest, it’s a dream come true to be playing at such a big club as Manchester United, especially playing in the Premier League, which I think is one of the best leagues in the world," said Lisandro.

"It’s nice to catch the rhythm of the Premier League, so I’m very happy.

"I don't pay attention [to criticism]. I believe in myself, I trust myself. I always work hard every day. That's what's going to give you results at the end."

www.manutd.com