“I killed him back”: Lisandro Martinez opens up on battle with Adama Traore in 1-0 win vs. Fulham | OneFootball

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has opened up on his battle with Fulham winger Adama Traore following the club’s 1-0 win at Old Trafford.

United opened their Premier League season with a well-earned victory courtesy of new signing Joshua Zirkzee, who found the back of the net in the late stages of proceedings.

United were largely on top for large parts of the match but let themselves down with some poor finishing that didn’t go down well with Erik ten Hag. Luckily for the Reds, they weren’t made to pay for their lack of clinical nature.

One of the highlights of the game was Martinez’s contests with the rapid Traore. Early on in the first half, Traore used his pace and strength to get past Casemiro before brushing off Martinez and breaking into United’s box.

The former Wolverhampton Wanderers forward tried to deliver a cross to Alex Iwobi but his effort was intercepted by Noussair Mazraoui, who reacted the quickest to snuff out the danger.

Minutes later, Traore got the ball again with space to run into but on this occasion, Martinez was equal to the task and brilliantly warded him off with his upper body.

The two came up against each other repeatedly and Martinez more than held his own against such a tricky player.

After the final whistle, the World Cup winner spoke to Sky Sports and cheekily said about Traore, “I sent him to the gym. I leant from the first one where he killed me, I killed him back.”

On United’s win, the Argentine remarked, “A good start, but we still have to improve a lot.”

“I am really proud to play for this club.”

Amidst United’s severe issues at left-back, Martinez admitted that he might be required to at times play in that role. He said about this, “I didn’t play many games as a left-back, but if the team need me there, I will give everything.”

One of Martinez’s fiercest critics since his move to United has been former Liverpool man Jamie Carragher, who has in the past taken a swipe at the United star’s height.

When asked about this, Martinez responded, “I always believe in myself. I know I’m not really tall but I will show I am there on the pitch.”

United return to action to action in a week when they travel to the Amex to face Brighton and Hove Albion.

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