It might have been a tough watch at times, but Manchester United got their Premier League campaign off to the perfect start with a 1-0 home win against Fulham, thanks to a debut goal from Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee.
The stop-the-count calls have already begun as Erik Ten Hags's side tops the table after the opening-day victory.
It wasn't just the new faces that were inspirational for Manchester United tonight. Lisandro Martinez - who was dogged by injury last season - was steady force throughout the game
Speaking after the game to Sky Sports Friday Night Football, Argentina World Cup winner Martínez did a rare interview in English and provided an insight into his famous character.
“The most important thing is the three points are a good start, but we must improve a lot,” Martínez said.
"Playing for this big club is a challenge, with significant pressure. But we embrace that pressure, seeing it as a responsibility to play in a positive way. Today, for example, we had a great connection between the team and the supporters. I'm incredibly proud to be a part of this club.
Licha was a breath of fresh air on the Sky cameras as he talked to Roy Keane, Jamie Carragher, and Gary Nevile about how he handled speedster Adama Traore and how he had to adjust to the Premier League despite his small height, which the Liverpool defender questioned last season.
“I sent him to the gym,” The World Cup winner said jokingly in a clip of him tackling Traore.
"No, he is really difficult to play against, but I learned from the first ball because in the first situation, he killed me, but I killed him back, so we have to concentrate because we can't lose one second of focus.
Martinez also shared a brilliant moment with Jamie Carragher, who famously criticised Martinez when he joined the Premier League for being too short.
Carragher would apologise for those comments and there was a funny back-and-forth between the defenders during the post-match interview.
It turns out the height difference between the two is minimal.
"I know that I'm not tall, but I will win" 😤👊
Lisandro Martinez discusses the comments on his physicality when first came to the Premier League 😅 pic.twitter.com/7gtdtYuMEr— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 16, 2024
Martinez spoke very well about those comments and dealing with personal criticism.
As a player, we must be prepared for everything. Every challenge, every criticism. It's part of our job. If you're here for excuses, you shouldn't be at this club. I was ready for the criticism when I didn't play well in the first few games. I took the responsibility and said I wanted more. And then, everything changed. I'm here to learn, to grow, and to give my all for this club.
Well, first of all, I always believed in myself, and I also believed in my strengths. I know that I'm not talented, but I will win. I will go with personality for every ball, and for every dual, I will show that I'm there on the pitch and also get that connection with my teammate by winning the first few balls. They will go. Hey, I should work like you, so that is my major. It’s a different league, absolutely, and it’s a different system. In Ajax, we controlled more of the game here, in Manchester. We are trying to do that in the first half. We had good moments, but I think it was different. When you play against everyone like Fulham, they are quick, big, strong and good with the ball.”
Keane, Neville and Carragher all seemed impressed by Martinez's words, and leave it to Keane to get the last word on it.
Just to looking into his eyes, he seems to enjoy the physical side, as small as he is...
