MANCHESTER UNITED defender Lisandro Martinez has opened up about meeting club legend Sir Alex Ferguson.
Martinez joined the Red Devils from Ajax two years ago and has since established himself as a fan favourite.
Just five months into his time at Old Trafford, the 26-year-old helped Argentina to the World Cup final in Qatar.
He was an unused substitute against France, but Lionel Scaloni’s side went on to win on penalties.
Martinez got his hands on the most prestigious trophy in football as a result.
And he was later congratulated by legendary United manager Ferguson.
Speaking to La Nacion in Argentina, Martinez revealed the 13-time Premier League winner still has a close connection with the club and its players.
He said: “I have met Ferguson three or four times. Ferguson is the God of Manchester.
“He is a person who gave a lot to the club and who continues to give because he remains connected.
“Now, the new owners have also included him. When [Argentina] won the World Cup we spoke a little, he congratulated me.
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“Later, also when we won the Carabao and the FA Cup – he is a legend of world football and I respect people’s privacy…
“Of course I would like to be able to talk to him, actually listen to him, but I would not dare to invade his space.”
The Argentina international also recalled the first time he stepped into United’s training ground, adding: “When I set foot in United’s training centre in Carrington for the first time, I felt something special.
“‘We’re going to win here,’ that’s what I felt. Like electricity, a strong energy of glory… something that motivated me a lot. ‘This is a place to win,’ I told myself.
“Well, we have already won two very important titles in two seasons, but we have to keep growing to reach our goal, which is to become what Manchester has always been, one of the very great teams, one of the best in the world.”
After the international break, Man Utd will be looking to bounce back from last week’s 3-0 defeat to Liverpool.
They are set to face Southampton, who are yet to register a point this season.
NOTHING stays the same forever.
And that includes the Premier League, which is making a number of tweaks this season.
Team news will now be released 75 MINUTES before kick-off, 15 minutes earlier than had been the case before.
Things could get crowded on the touchline, with the number of substitutes permitted to warm-up boosted from three players per team to FIVE.
There’s also a change to how added time is calculated when a team scores a goal, an update to the ‘multiball’ system and the introduction of semi-automated offsides – but not straight away.
Go here to read about all the changes to the Premier League for 2024/25.
