This weekend saw Manchester United complete the double over Fulham with another 1-0 win, replicating the score in their opening match of this season’s Premier League.
Ruben Amorim had Lisandro Martinez to thank for the three points, as the centre back intercepted a pass in the final third, grabbing the winning goal.
Martinez did the same at the start of the month in The Red Devil’s 2-2 draw with league leaders, Liverpool.
On top of these two goals, the Argentinian has also registered an assist in the Europa League, setting up Bruno Fernandes in their 2-1 win over Rangers.
Ruben Amorim’s praise of Lisandro Martinez
Speaking of Martinez’s pressing game and ability to play as a ball-playing defender, Amorim commented: “They are nowadays the midfielders.”
He continued: “Sometimes because you don’t have a lot of space between the lines, you have to find this space and they are the players that have the game in front and they have to be there with the midfielders. So it’s really important.
“When the central defenders play well with the ball, we play well. So it’s something that Licha does really well, can take the ball and he has to continue. The other guys also have to improve in that area.”
This could suggest that Martinez could be comfortably called upon to cover the defensive midfield role should the need arise.
However, the goal wasn’t his only defining moment in the game as his rivalry with Adama Traore resurfaced.
Martinez was involved in a heated challenge with Traore at the hour mark, however got away with just a caution.
Addressing the centre-back’s ruthless aggression on the pitch, Amorim commented: “I cannot spend two months saying we need to be more aggressive and fight more and then I say to Lisandro to not fight too much. It’s a balance.”
He continued: “The important thing is Licha doesn’t want to harm another footballer, that is the most important thing. He wants to win and he shows in every play.”
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