Lisandro Martinez Nets First Old Trafford Goal in United’s 4-0 Sabah Win
Lisandro Martinez scored his first Manchester United goal at Old Trafford as the club began its UEFA Champions League return with a 4-0 win over Sabah, while also recording its first clean sheet of the season.
Why the result matters for United
| Match | Competition | Result | Key milestones |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester United vs Sabah | UEFA Champions League | Manchester United 4-0 Sabah | First clean sheet of the campaign; Martinez’s first home goal for the club |
Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes and Benjamin Sesko put United in control before Martinez added the fourth after the interval. The Argentina international had scored each of his previous three United goals away from home, finding the net at Arsenal, Liverpool and Fulham.
The 28-year-old said the performance was built on United’s approach to the physical contest and their control of possession and momentum across the match.
“You have to go to every ball like the last one, and I think that’s what we did today,” Martinez said. “In every duel, we were so dominant.”
Martinez described the occasion as particularly meaningful with his girlfriend in the stands, as United played a Champions League night at Old Trafford again. He said the energy around the stadium, especially when the competition anthem is played, brings an intensity that is difficult to hold back.
“It’s an amazing feeling, scoring in this amazing and beautiful stadium with those people and also my girlfriend being there,” he said. “Tonight, honestly, I’m one of the happiest people in the world.”
After the final whistle, Martinez also showed a lighter side during a television interview, exchanging humorous remarks with Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards following United’s emphatic victory.
Attention turns to the derby
United now have little time to dwell on their European start, with Manchester City due at Old Trafford on Sunday in the Premier League. Martinez called for the team to take the same intensity into the derby as they pursue another three points.
“We have to enjoy and, tomorrow, we have to think about the derby,” Martinez said. “We want to play with a big mentality and focus, and we want to try to get the three points.”
