When you run into Lisandro Martinez off the field, he exudes charm. Martinez is pleasant, soft-spoken, and enjoys interacting with the media. After his five-minute pit stop in the mixed zone at Allegiant Stadium, he gives a reporter an appreciative wink and says, “Sorry?” if he does not quite hear a question.
On the field, you risk crossing him on Martinez’s two starts for Manchester United on their preseason tour of the United States, he collided with Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham. He received a ticket for both fouls.
During the break, Martinez and Saka exchanged more insults. To give the allies some ammunition, an Argentine would target Englishmen.
Martinez fractured his metatarsal against Sevilla just three and a half months ago. On his comeback to tennis, he was always obligated to avoid the tentative approach.
He grinned, “Sure, I guess. “When I play football, I give it my best and play with passion. I stand in for this club when I consider the badge. It’s astounding. My body, my heart, and everything else are the only things I can give. I give my all in representing this team, and I hope all the players do the same.
“Now that I’m fully fit, I’m thrilled because I love football. When you’re out and helpless, it’s pretty difficult, don’t you think? However, I’m prepared now and eager to go.
“I feel more powerful than I did last year, and I believe the club wants to display something distinctive when the league debuts. Therefore, we are completely optimistic and strong.
Bellingham was acknowledged by Martinez after their past week’s fight in Texas. Bellingham gushed about a “fantastic talent” who was also “a wonderful competitor and a great player. He desires victory just like I do. It sometimes overflows. That’s how the game works. I really do respect others. After the game, we can have that interaction.
Bellingham and Martinez are like-minded individuals who are obstinate in their pursuit of success. Martinez was Andre Onana’s teammate at Ajax for three years, so he would also have known what to anticipate from him. After Harry Maguire’s apparent hospital pass in the second half of United’s 3-2 loss to Borussia Dortmund, the new United No. 1 gave Maguire a rollocking.
Martinez supports this. It’s better because of it, I tell you. Nothing happened, but if you are attentive, you can also battle with your colleagues. To do this, you need to make sure they are all razor-sharp. It pertains to football.
“He (Onana) has a big personality, can play football, can handle pressure, is incredibly upbeat, and is a leader. That is Manchester United’s ethos.
Bruno Fernandes, whose promotion Martinez supports, is now United’s formal leader. “We must respect the coach’s choice; he is the boss. As players, we must proceed if he makes the choice.
And in response to your inquiry, Bruno is a wonderful leader and a good person. He’s really upbeat in the changing room, and I believe he deserves it.
With United leading Sevilla 2-1 after the first leg of their Europa League quarterfinal, Martinez suffered a fractured metatarsal. United drew 2-2 and took a 3-0 beating in the clumsy second half.
When Manchester City took advantage of David de Gea’s erratic passing in the FA Cup final, the 25-year-old’s absence was also noticeable.
“At this point, we must learn and make numerous improvements; this is a necessary part of the process, and I believe this club will succeed greatly.
“I believe we need to score more goals, as well as improve our away performance. I believe we need to read the games more carefully.
“Because football is a cerebral game, we need to read the situation properly, be prepared and have superior mental fortitude. In the Premier League, you might sometimes give up numerous goals in a single second and still lose, which keeps you up at night. But this season, we want to present something new.
But Martinez should remain the same.