“It was not a good season personally and, as a team, too” - Lisandro Martinez makes honest claim about recent season at Manchester United
Manchester United star Lisandro Martinez has opened up about his woes last season. The Argentine defender has admitted it was a poor campaign for him and for the club.
Martinez missed the majority of last season due to various injury issues. He made five Premier League appearances at the start of the season before being sidelined due to a foot injury, missing 22 games across competitions.
He recovered and returned to action in January briefly before picking up a knee injury the following month in Manchester United's 3-0 win over West Ham United. Martinez made it back at the end of March but once again returned to the sidelines due to a calf strain. In total, the Argentina international missed 36 games due to injury issues for the Red Devils last season.
He came back to play Manchester United's final two league games, which saw them finish eighth in the table. It was their worst finish in the Premier League era. Erik ten Hag's side had a disappointing season in the English top tier and Europe as well, finishing last in the UEFA Champions League group stages.
Martinez said to Ole about their struggles last term (via Manchester Evening News):
“It was not a good season personally and, as a team, too. But you have to be prepared for when these things happen, these types of injuries. And you have to learn from them. I have to take it as an experience and be very strong physically and mentally. Today I feel excellent. I have to focus on what is happening now, in the present.”
Martinez did play 73 minutes in the FA Cup final against Manchester City to help Manchester United lift the trophy and finish the season with a triumph.
"That's what I can tell you" - Manchester United star Lisandro Martinez drops hint about Lionel Messi's international future
Lisandro Martinez has claimed that Argentina's squad does not see the 2024 Copa America as Lionel Messi's last tournament. The Manchester United defender seemed to hint at Messi continuing his international career beyond this year.
Messi achieved his boyhood dream when he won the 2022 FIFA World Cup, adding a huge trophy to his illustrious and decorated cabinet. The Argentine superstar is a part of his national team's plans for the Copa America this year.
Having lifted the World Cup and moved out of European football to play in the MLS, many believed that the Copa America would be Messi's last tournament for Argentina. However, Martinez doesn't see it that way as he said of the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner (via GOAL):
“He's very calm, more than anything he's enjoying the day to day. It's beautiful to be here, we all have a great relationship. When one is here, one is very happy. We feel at home, which is important. We don't see it [as his last tournament with Argentina.] We see him happy, and with an impressive level. That's what I can tell you.”
Argentina are in Group A at the Copa America alongside Peru, Chile and Canada as they look to defend their title.