Martinez: I always believe in myself

Saturday 17 August 2024 10:00

Lisandro Martinez says he always carries the utmost self-belief and determination on the pitch for Manchester United – not only in the pursuit of victory, but to set an example for his team-mates.

The 26-year-old was among the United backline that kept a clean sheet in our opening Premier League fixture of the season on Friday night, with the Reds securing a late win thanks to debutant Joshua Zirkzee’s clever finish.

Martinez caught the eye with his display on the pitch, appearing at both centre-back and left-back during the 90 minutes, but his words following the conclusion of our domestic season-opener also proved to be the subject of positive discussion among United fans.

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Our no.6 was interviewed by the Sky Sports panel – consisting of former Reds Gary Neville and Roy Keane – after the game, and quizzed on his adaption to life in the Premier League, two years on from his introduction to England’s top flight.

 

“First of all, I always believe in myself, in my strength as well,” said Martinez. “I know I’m not really, really tall, but I will win, I will go with personality in every ball, every duel, I will show that I’m there in the pitch.

“And also, to get that connection with my team-mates, if you win the first ball or win the duel, your team-mate will say, ‘I should work like you.’ So that’s a major [thing] for me.

“It’s a different league, absolutely, different system as well. In Ajax, I think in every game we control more the game and here in Manchester we are trying. Today, for example, we show in the first half playing in the half of the pitch, we show good moments, but I think it’s really different.

“Here you play against Fulham, against every team, and everyone is quick, strong, good with the ball.”

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His battle with Fulham’s Adama Traore in the early stages was highlighted by the UK broadcaster’s panel, with Martinez on one occasion being caught out by his opposite number, before he impressively shrugged the notoriously physical winger to the ground in the next instance that the two came to blows.

“I sent him to the gym, no?!” Martinez joked, after watching both duels back alongside the Sky panel.

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“No, it’s really difficult to play against this opponent [Traore]. I learned from the first one, because in the first situation he killed me, and then I kill him back.

“I don’t have to think too much,” he added, reflecting on the first duel, where he lost out to the Fulham man.

“I have to go to the duel. If you go [into a duel] with 100 per cent confidence there, I should win the ball back. It’s small details but in the Premier League, small details in the end are the big details.”

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