Lisandro Martínez has opened up on Michael Carrick’s words before Manchester United recorded a stunning 2-0 win over Man City on Saturday afternoon.
Manchester United turned in an impressive display at Old Trafford, as Michael Carrick’s side secured a 2-0 Premier League win over Manchester City.
United started brightly, pressing City high up the pitch and unsettling the visitors early on. Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire both had chances in the opening stages, with Maguire rattling the crossbar.
Amad and Bruno Fernandes each found the net before the interval, only for both efforts to be ruled out for offside in a dominant first half. United maintained their momentum after the restart, with Casemiro denied by a fine save from Gianluigi Donnarumma, before Mbeumo was again kept out.
Mbeumo made no mistake on 65 minutes, calmly finishing to put United ahead. Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu then sealed the victory ten minutes later, converting from a Matheus Cunha assist to confirm all three points.
Martínez explains what Carrick told the players
A lot has been made of United’s lack of threat and effort in the last month or so, with many lambasting the players for lacklustre performances. However, none of that was present against City.
Speaking with Sky Sports after the tie, United defender Lisandro Martínez said the players’ main goal today was to show who they truly were, and that Carrick had told his team to use the crowd’s energy to gain an edge.
“Unbelievable. Unbelievable,” Martínez said. “Being here with the fans, with the team we really know how we suffer during the season.
“But the only way is putting the face here and showing here who we are. Today is the best moment to do it. Not just the players on the pitch, the staff, everyone was part of that.
“I think one important thing that Michael Carrick said was ‘use the energy of the people’, and today I think we did it, and when we are together like this, it is impossible to lose at home.”
United played more like a team
Another criticism of the Reds under Rúben Amorim is that the players have been too disjointed, but as well, this wasn’t a trait present on Saturday afternoon.
“When you play against these kinds of players, the team defend. Not just one or two players,” Martinez said.
“Today we defend so good, we were compact all the times. And then you have the confidence to go to the duels. Today you feel a different energy when you see the eyes of the players. Today the team won and that is the most important thing.”
Next up is an away clash against Arsenal, which will be no easy game. But, full of belief after the City victory, anything could happen.
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