Lisandro Martinez says he ‘sent Adama Traore to the gym’ during their entertaining tussle in Manchester United’s win over Fulham on Friday night.
At Old Trafford, Joshua Zirkzee made his Red Devils debut by coming off the bench to score the game’s lone goal in the 87th minute.
Although Martinez and Traore gave considerable amusement in the first half as they occasionally overcame one another, that was the game’s pivotal moment.
However, the excellent defender learned from that moment and next time Traore tried to go past him he was wholly unsuccessful as Martinez won the ball and left the winger on the floor.
Even if it was a fruitless move, the quick Fulham winger scared the United player by darting past the Argentine and into a strong position early on.
Martinez told Sky Sports, seeing video of the Spain international on the deck following their challenge, “I sent him to the gym!”
“He is difficult to play against and I learned from the first situation—in which he killed me but I killed him back,” the Manchester United player continued.
Manchester United were not entirely convincing but they did create a few good chances and deserved the victory, kicking off the season with an important win.
‘For sure it is really important and the most important thing is the three points – we still have to improve a lot,’ Martinez said, after playing at centre-back and filling in at left-back at times.
‘It is difficult to play for this big club, but we live for that and we have to play in a positive way. We have to take this pressure and like today we had a good connection with the subs and fans as well – I am proud to play for this club.
‘I didn’t play many games as left full-back, but as a player you have to give everything to the team. If the team needs me there I will give everything. If I have to play there I will give everything.’