Manchester United fans have put forward a theory about what Lisandro Martinez was gesturing about while walking around the Old Trafford pitch following the Red Devils’ 2-0 win over Manchester City.
Michael Carrick’s Man United made light work of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on Saturday (January 17), at a raucous Old Trafford.
The home side were aggressive from the kick-off and did not allow City to dictate the tempo of the game like they often do.
After an end-to-end first half, during which United had two goals ruled out for offside, they finally took a deserved lead on 65 minutes when Bryan Mbeumo finished a swift counterattack.
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12 minutes later, the 20-time Premier League champions made it 2-0 when Patrick Dorgu converted Matheus Cunha’s cross.
When Mason Mount had the ball in the net in second-half stoppage time, the home side thought it was 3-0, only for the goal to be chalked off for an offside against Cunha in the build-up.
Shortly after the match, Martinez spoke to Sky Sports and hailed Carrick’s advice of using the "energy of the people” to their advantage.
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“Today I think we did it,” Martinez claimed.
“When we are together, it is impossible to lose at home.
“We know how we’ve suffered during the season, but the only way is showing face and showing who we are.
“This was the best moment to do it. The team, not just the players on the pitch, but also on the bench, everyone was part of that.”
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Also, after the victory, a video emerged of Martinez gesturing to the crowd while walking around the pitch as the United supporters cheered the team for their efforts.
And fans have a theory as to why the defender was gesturing.
One said: “I’m sure he’s referring to Scholes and Butt… they can keep moaning and crying.”
Of course, earlier this week, former United midfielders Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt criticised Martinez during their preview for the Manchester derby.
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Speaking on ‘The Good, The Bad & The Football’, Butt said: “Haaland would pick Martinez up and run with him. You know, when you see a dad at school running down the road with a little toddler.”
Scholes joked: “He’d score, then throw him in the net.”
Despite Scholes and Butt’s negative opinion of Martinez, the defender certainly kept Erling Haaland quiet on Saturday afternoon before the Norway international was withdrawn with 10 minutes to play.
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Several other fans offered their thoughts on Martinez’s post-match actions.
One added: “Definitely about Butt and Scholes.”
As another claimed: “We have to back the current players now. The ex-players were brilliant, but they've had their day. Deep down, I'm sure Butt, Scholes, [Gary] Neville, and [Roy] Keane want us to do well.”
United return to Premier League action away at Arsenal on Sunday, 25 January.
Topics: Manchester United, Lisandro Martinez, Man City, Football, Premier League, Man Utd, Manchester City, Paul Scholes
Luke Davies