Lisandro Martinez escapes backlash for two Man Utd incidents

Erik ten Hag reviews the Newcastle defeat

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez managed to steer clear of a post-game backlash after Sunday’s defeat at the hands of Newcastle despite showing the same sort of petulance that saw Bruno Fernandes receive heavy criticism earlier this year. Martinez was unable to prevent the Red Devils from slumping to a lacklustre defeat at St James’ Park, with second-half goals from Joe Willock and Callum Wilson giving Newcastle all three points.

Martinez was visibly frustrated upon being substituted by Erik ten Hag after 83 minutes, with the 25-year-old hitting a chair in the dugout after trudging off the pitch to be replaced by Facundo Pellistri. He went on to show his anger at the full-time whistle when he initially chose not to applaud the travelling fans before Fernandes and United coach Steve McClaren ordered him to show his appreciation rather than simply walking down the tunnel.

The Argentine defender was ultimately spared the wrath of supporters and pundits in spite of his behaviour, which did not spark the same level of backlash faced by Fernandes after letting his frustrations take over against Liverpool at the start of last month. The Portuguese midfielder was subjected to fierce criticism after feigning several injuries and gesturing to the United bench to request a substitution during the closing stages of the fixture.

He even faced calls to be stripped of the armband that he has inherited over the course of this season from Harry Maguire, who remains United’s club captain but has been reduced to a bit-part role over the last few months. United legend Gary Neville did not mince his words in a damning assessment of Fernandes’ performance against Liverpool after the final whistle, although he did not reserve the same treatment for Martinez following Sunday’s defeat at Newcastle.

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“Bruno Fernandes is stood in the centre circle with his arms raised saying: ‘Why isn’t it me coming off?’ Honestly,” fumed Neville on Sky Sports. “I think some of his behaviour in the second half has been a disgrace.”

Neville instead chose not to criticise Martinez for his petulant behaviour on Sunday, with the 48-year-old pointing the finger at Ten Hag for substituting both of his central defenders prior to Newcastle’s decisive second goal.

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“Once those changes were made this was the most predictable outcome,” said Neville. “Manchester United just had no height in there. You are better off having two with them both being centre-backs rather than three with two full-backs, you end up being really exposed.”

United’s disappointing defeat at Newcastle saw them slip behind the Magpies in the Premier League table, with the Red Devils now sitting in fourth behind their opponents on goal difference. They will be hoping to bounce back as a matter of priority in order to keep fifth-placed Tottenham at bay in the race for Champions League qualification, which is set to intensify over the coming weeks before the campaign draws to a close.

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