Lisandro Martinez says he is not disadvantaged by his height and that he sent Fulham's Adama Traore "to the gym" in their fierce duel.
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Man Utd beat Fulham 1-0Martinez admits he's "not tall"Talks battle with winger TraoreWHAT HAPPENED?
When Martinez swapped Ajax for United in 2022, Jamie Carragher, among others, raised concerns about his 5'9 frame and whether he would be targeted by bigger, stronger strikers. Since then, the Argentina international has, largely, acquitted himself well in the Premier League. Then, in their 1-0 win over Fulham on Friday, the 26-year-old was burned by flying winger Traore, but then in their next duel he outmuscled the brawny Spaniard. In a post-match interview, he spoke about his mentality, how he is "not tall" and how he "killed" Traore, while playfully hitting back at Carragher.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT LISANDRO MARTINEZ SAID
When asked about when he first came to the Premier League and the comments that he may struggle with the physicality, he told: "You mean for…? (Pointing at Carragher and then laughing).
"As players we are ready for everything. For criticism, it's part of our job. If we are just here for excuses, then we are not ready for this club. Especially at this club, if you play bad you have to be ready to be criticised. I was ready for that. In the first two games, I didn't play well and I took responsibility and I said, 'one more, one more' and then everything changed.
"First of all I always believe in myself and my strength. I know that I am not tall; really, really tall but I will win, I will go with personality for every ball and every duel. I will show I am there on the pitch and to get that connection with my team-mates. If you win the first ball or duel, your team-mate will say, 'I should work like you' so that's a major [thing] for me. Yes, it's a different league [to the Dutch one] and a different system to the one at Ajax. In every game there we controlled more of the game and here in Manchester we are trying to show good moments but it's really different. Here you play against Fulham and everyone is really quick, strong, good with the ball."
He added on his Traore duels: "I sent him to the gym, no? No, he's really difficult to play against, this opponent. I learnt from the first one. Because in the first situation he kill me and then I kill him back. We have to concentrate and when we lose one second of focus…I think I don't have to think too much. I have to go into the duel. If you go with 100 per cent confidence I should win the ball but in the Premier League the small details in the end are big details."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
After a mixed pre-season, which included injuries to Leny Yoro and Rasmus Hojlund and disappointing losses, United got the ideal start to the new Premier League season with victory over the Cottagers. Pressure is on manager Erik ten Hag to deliver this term after staving off the sack earlier this year and this result should help him and his players going forward.
AFPWHAT NEXT?
Martinez's United side are next in Premier League action next Saturday away to Brighton at the Amex, before locking horns with bitter rivals Liverpool on September 1 at Old Trafford.