Lisandro Martinez says he felt at home the very first time he visited Manchester United’s Carrington training ground.
The Argentinian defender has established himself as a fan favourite since his summer move from Ajax and it’s easy to see why. Licha’s passion is evident both in his play and the way he celebrates actions on the field. Whether it be a last-ditch challenge or a vital block, Martinez seems to relish it.
United manager Erik ten Hag recently spoke of his desire to work with the defender for many years to come, as the Dutchman worked with Lisandro and Brazilian winger Antony at his former club.
Erik’s words were put to Martinez in a pitchside interview with club media at the Benito Villamarin Stadium on Wednesday evening, ahead of Thursday’s Europa League second leg against Real Betis, and it’s clear the feeling is mutual.
Licha shared his love for his adopted home in Manchester, and a desire to win more trophies at the club, following the Carabao Cup triumph in February. He also warned against complacency in Thursday’s match in Seville, with United holding a healthy 4-1 lead after the first leg at Old Trafford.
Every word from the interview with our no.6 is available for you to watch and read below…
MARTINEZ: WE ARE HAPPY TO TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY
Great result in the first leg of this tie. How focused do you need to be for the second leg to get the job done?
“Tomorrow, [in] the game we start 0-0. We have to be ready. We need full focus tomorrow because it’s going to be a hard game for us. So if you are not focused you can lose this game. For sure the first leg was a great result for us, but it doesn’t say anything. In football everything can happen, so we have to be ready.”
How much do you enjoy playing in European competition, on big European nights?
“Well, a lot. I think it is very nice to play in Europe. We have to enjoy [it]. I think tomorrow it’s going to be a really beautiful game, here in Spain against [Real] Betis with their people, for sure with our fans as well. So, yeah, it’s going to be a nice game.”
The manager said recently he hopes you and him have a long and successful career together at Manchester United. How happy are you to hear that, and how at home do you feel at the club?
“I feel at home since the first day here, when I [first] put my foot in Carrington I remember it was an amazing feeling. So I’m happy to be with him, to work with him. I know his mentality, he knows my mentality as well. So, in a quick time we get the first trophy so we have to work for everything, we have to believe. This club demands to win every game, every title, so we are happy to take this responsibility.”
There’s just this game and Sunday’s FA Cup game before you go away for the international break with your country. How important is it that you finish strongly before you go away?
“For sure it’s very important, but we have to finish well and after [I go away with the] national team also we have many important games. That’s why we have to think game by game. We have to be ready for every game.”
