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3 months ago
29 It was fantastic to see Manchester United get the new season started with three points after a 1-0 win over Fulham on Friday night, thanks to a debut goal from Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee.
If only we could stop the clocks and finish the season now – United would be crowned champions with three points and a +1 goal difference. A rarity last season.
It wasn’t just Zirkzee who was inspirational for United tonight. The defence did their job too, with Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire proving to be a forceful combination at the back.
Speaking after the game to Sky Sports, Martinez provided an insight into his character.
“The most important thing is that the three points are a good start, but we must improve a lot,” Martinez said, as quoted by BBC Sport.
“Playing for this big club is a challenge, with significant pressure. But we embrace that pressure, seeing it as a responsibility to play in a positive way. Today, for example, we had a great connection between the team and the supporters. I’m incredibly proud to be a part of this club.”
The Butcher cracked a joke when he talked to Roy Keane, Jamie Carragher, and Gary Neville about how he handled Adama Traore. His height was brought up in conversation, which is something the Liverpool defender questioned when he initially signed for United from Ajax.
“I sent him to the gym,” he added. “No, he is really difficult to play against, but I learned from the first ball because in the first situation, he killed me, but I killed him back, so we have to concentrate because we can’t lose one second of focus.”
Licha also shared a hilarious exchange with Jamie Carragher, who infamously described Martinez as being too small to play as a centre-back in the Premier League – before he went on to become one of the best in the Premier League.
Carragher stood up next to Martinez and it turns out the height different between the two is minimal, before laughing as he said: “He’s bigger than me!”
Keane got the final word in when he added: “He’s [Carragher] got heels on.”
Martinez said: “As a player, we must be prepared for everything. Every challenge, every criticism. It’s part of our job. If you’re here for excuses, you shouldn’t be at this club. I was ready for the criticism when I didn’t play well in the first few games. I took the responsibility and said I wanted more. And then, everything changed. I’m here to learn, to grow, and to give my all for this club.
“Well, first of all, I always believed in myself, and I also believed in my strengths. I know that I’m not talented, but I will win. I will go with personality for every ball, and for every dual, I will show that I’m there on the pitch and also get that connection with my teammate by winning the first few balls. They will go. Hey, I should work like you, so that is my major. It’s a different league, absolutely, and it’s a different system. In Ajax, we controlled more of the game here, in Manchester. We are trying to do that in the first half. We had good moments, but I think it was different. When you play against everyone like Fulham, they are quick, big, strong and good with the ball.”
Keane was able to get the final word in.
“I know that I’m not tall, but I will win” 😤👊
Lisandro Martinez discusses the comments on his physicality when first came to the Premier League 😅 pic.twitter.com/7gtdtYuMEr
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 16, 2024
Footage courtesy of Sky Sports
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