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Topics: Manchester United, Manchester City, Lisandro Martinez, Jack Grealish, Premier League
Daniel Marland
Topics: Manchester United, Manchester City, Lisandro Martinez, Jack Grealish, Premier League
Lisandro Martinez managed to get into a scuffle with Jack Grealish in the closing moments of Manchester United's 2-1 win over Manchester City - despite only being on the pitch for a few minutes.
United came from behind to defeat their bitter rivals at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon, thanks to goals from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford.
Grealish had given City the lead on the hour mark with a header before Fernandes' controversial equaliser and Rashford's winner within four minutes of one another.
Tensions naturally rose throughout the game, reaching a fever pitch in added time. Check out Martinez and Grealish's coming together below.
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United manager Erik ten Hag opted to start Luke Shaw next to Raphael Varane in central defence with Tyrell Malacia out wide.
Martinez replaced Malacia in the 93rd minute to help see out the game. There's a reason his nickname among the United faithful is 'The Butcher'.
Grealish pushed the 24-year-old in the back, who responded with a firm but fair shoulder barge. The City winger tried to knock Martinez over again, which saw United's other players get involved.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka hilariously stood away from the rest of the melee as referee Stuart Attwell tried to calm things down.
It's difficult to get involved in the flashpoint of a game immediately after your introduction. Martinez did it with ease.
The former Ajax man won the World Cup with Argentina towards the end of last year.
It means he returned to training later than his teammates, allowing Shaw to establish himself in the heart of defence.
Ten Hag is keen to reward his players for performing well, something Martinez fully understands.
When asked about Shaw filling in for Martinez, Ten Hag told reporters: "The last couple of games, a lot of clean sheets, they [Varane and Shaw] played really well together.
"Also, Licha Martinez returned from the World Cup and didn't have a lot of games. He played 90 minutes against Charlton, but we need big games.
"That was four weeks ago, at the World Cup, so I think 90 minutes is a lot, but he can contribute, he's ready to come in, but I also think it's tactical, it fits really well with the physical, with Haaland and De Bruyne, players around covering the full-backs."
United return to action on Wednesday evening against Crystal Palace. A win at Selhurst Park will see them move ahead of Newcastle United and Manchester City into second.