01 August 2023 , 21:09
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Lisandro Martinez has no problem with Manchester United players coming to blows after Andre Onana's furious rant at Harry Maguire.
Onana, who recently completed a move from Inter Milan, shouted in Maguire's face during United's 3-2 loss to Borussia Dortmund in the early hours of Monday. The incident unfolded after Christian Eriksen failed to control Maguire's pass, gifting Dortmund the ball.
Onana's fiery response has divided opinion, with former Premier League striker Gabby Agbonlahor criticising the goalkeeper for picking on "easy target" Maguire. Yet Martinez, who plays alongside Maguire in defence, wants his team-mates to show that passion.
Martinez played alongside Onana during their time together at Ajax and believes the "big personality" can handle the pressure of replacing David de Gea at United. De Gea's successful 12-year stay at Old Trafford ended last month when his contract expired.
Martinez was asked about the row between his team-mates. As quoted by ESPN, he said: "It's better for [it]. If you are focused, you can fight with your team-mates as well, you need to make sure everyone is really sharp, but nothing happened. It's part of football."
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The Argentine added: "He [Onana] has a big personality. He can play football, he can deal with the pressure, he's really positive, he's a leader, that's the style of Manchester United."
Onana was pushed on the incident while speaking to MUTV after the game. "I demand a lot of my team-mates because also they demand a lot, they trust in me," he explained.
"They play a lot of balls back to me, so I have to give them confidence and I want my players to give them to me to give me confidence. I demand [from] them a lot and I will demand from them a lot because they are great players.
Maguire was defended by Gabby Agbonlahor (Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)What's your opinion on the row? Let us know in the comments below!
"Now, for me, it's a big honour to play with these defenders. With Martinez, Harry they are doing great things. They are important players for the club. I'm very happy to be part of this team and playing with them is something great."
Although Martinez and Onana are happy with the row, Agbonlahor isn't. Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: "First of all, Harry Maguire didn't do anything wrong. He played a ball to a midfielder and the midfielder gave it away. I feel like he's an easy target.
"I don't like that from Onana. Are you doing that to [Lisandro] Martinez? Are you running after [Marcus] Rashford like that? I don't think you are. Maguire's an easy target, so I didn't like the look of that.
"I'd understand it if it was a big mistake and it's cost a goal or it was Harry Maguire's fault, fair enough. But I want to see that same energy for every player. He sees Maguire going through that phase of Man Utd fans on social media (saying), 'Leave, leave, leave'.
"He's not going to react either, Harry Maguire. He's thinking, 'You know what, keep a low profile because I want to fight for my place'. I didn't like it and it wasn't even a mistake from Harry Maguire."