07 March 2024 , 01:00
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Manchester United winger Amad has labelled teammate Lisandro Martinez as the most difficult player to face in training.
The 21-year-old ace spent a successful season on loan at Sunderland in 2022/23 as he scored 13 Championship goals in 37 appearances before returning to Old Trafford to join the first team this term. With Martinez arriving from Ajax in the summer of 2022, it hasn't taken long for the World Cup winner to leave an impression on Amad.
The 26-year-old has been nicknamed 'the Butcher' for his aggressive style of play and Amad says that his teammate's mentality extends to the training pitch. The Argentina international has rarely been available due to injury this term but made sure to leave his mark on Amad.
The youngster explained: “Licha [is the most difficult player to face in training]. He’s very strong in the training. For him, the training is like the Champions League final. He never trains easy, he goes stronger, so it’s harder to train against him.”
It should come as little surprise that Martinez's aggressive side emerges no matter the level of play. During United's pre-season tour of the United states, the former Ajax star ensured he brought a competitive edge to friendly competition.
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Martinez enjoyed a fiery exchange with Jude Bellingham in the summer clash with Real Madrid, leaving the England international fuming. Still, Bellingham ultimately left the field with plenty of respect for United's star given how their meeting ended.
“The little tiff with Martinez is one of those things,” said Bellingham. “He’s a brilliant player. I came in at half-time and I was ‘f’ing this and f’ing that’.
Lisandro Martinez and Jude Bellingham clashed in Man Utd vs Real Madrid (MUTV)“But when he came over to wish me all the best when he came off, I really respected it. I know what goes on the pitch stays on the pitch. I saw him at the end of the game and wished him well.
“I can respect that when two players are trying to win for their team and can come together and be respectful after the game. He’s a great competitor and a great player. Just like me, he wants to win.
"Sometimes it spills over. That is part of the game. But I’m really respectful. We can have that moment after the game.”