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Manchester United Lisandro Martinez happy with his first season at the club but wants improvement
Lisandro Martinez is happy with the mentality at Manchester United during his first season but wants the team to further improve next season.
After arriving from Ajax last summer, Martinez was questioned whether he can play as a centre-back due to his shortened height in comparison to most centre-backs. This was raised predominantly by Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher.
But, the Argentina international has shown his qualities throughout the season and formed a solid partnership with Raphael Varane. His performances made Carragher retract his comments as well (a sweet moment.
Here’s what Martinez said about his first season at Old Trafford with a keenness to improve (h/t Manchester United website, via Manchester Evening News):
“I’m really happy to be here, it’s a big dream of mine. [Never-say-die] is my mentality, I try to show in every ball, in every game, that is what I like. That is my game as well, to give everything that I have.
“I try to do my best, give a lot of energy to the team and have a good attitude as well, with passion. We have a really good mentality here and we’ve changed many things. We’re in a good way but we still have to improve a lot.”
Such has been the performance of Martinez that United are aiming to offer him an improved contract in the near future. Although he is currently injured (metatarsal bone injury against Sevilla), he would slot straight back into the XI when fully fit.
The good thing about the 2022 World Cup winner is that he is flexible too. He has done well at centre-back, but there is a scope for him to operate in defensive midfield as well. The 25-year-old has played there for Ajax.
When he talks about improving next season, it shows his mentality of always looking ahead rather than dwelling on the past. Players of such mentality are important for a squad that is still in transition towards potentially achieving something special under the tutelage of Erik ten Hag.
It sends a strong message to his teammates as well, who would want to upgrade themselves mentally to share the pitch with a player such as him. Moreover, it should be taken by the club’s board as a message that the club can improve the personnel as well by signing world-class names.
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Moreover, Martinez’s impressive showing in the Premier League must be an inspiration to short-heightened centre-backs who may or may not want to play in their natural position just because they are a few inches shorter than normal players there. As they say – where there is a will, there is a way!
