Benjamin Sesko capped off a memorable Man Utd win against Fulham with an injury-time winner, but what Lisandro Martinez did just after was just as important, if not more.
The intangible “Man Utd DNA” was encapsulated in its purest form by Benjamin Sesko netting a stoppage-time winner at the Stretford End.
The 3-2 win against Fulham was well-deserved for Man Utd, but it shouldn’t be forgotten that Sesko had scored in the fourth minute of injury time.
What impact will this winning goal have for Benjamin Sesko’s Man Utd career?
What a moment!
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There were still seven minutes of football played after that goal, and what Lisandro Martinez did just after the goal was absolutely priceless.
Benjamin Sesko celebrates with UNited teammates
Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images
Lisandro Martinez’s warrior-like finish to Fulham game
To say that Lisandro Martinez has had an eventful few weeks at Old Trafford would be a massive understatement.
His war of words with Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt played out publicly through no fault of his own, before an own goal against Arsenal brought questions.
He ended that game brilliantly, but Fulham posed a different challenge yet again by counter-attacking and playing at pace.
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For most parts of the game, Martinez was tasked with passing the ball through the lines, rarely being asked to do the defensive side of the game.
However, when Sesko scored the third goal, Carrick sent a clear message to shut up shop and repel Fulham’s efforts for another equaliser.
Being under siege seemed to bring another level in Martinez’s game, who finished the game with an absolute warrior-like performance.
He closed down players out wide as a man possessed, launched himself into tackles to block crosses, and whipped up the crowd every time he got back up to his feet.
Old Trafford lived and breathed every tackle and interception that Martinez made, and he was reflecting the effort and desire that fans want to see from the players.
United had to hold on for seven minutes to ensure Sesko’s goal would end up as the winner. Martinez had decided on the day that Fulham just wouldn’t score a third.
Martinez’s leadership is priceless
By the time Martinez unlocked the warrior gear in his game, it was much needed.
Harry Maguire had a setback by conceding the penalty, Casemiro had gone off, Leny Yoro had come on, and United had no clear outlet to attack.
Casemiro’s performances vs Fulham drove home how difficult it is going to be to replace him…
How do we find a replacement for Casemiro? Who should we be targeting?
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In such circumstances, United needed someone to marshal the team and become the manager on the pitch.
Martinez performed that task to perfection by leading from the front and setting the example with his intensity and personality.
With United set to lose Casemiro in the summer, and the future of Maguire still under question, Martinez will be the longest-serving defender at the club.
Moments like these against Fulham show why he’s the model example at this club, regardless of what some ex-players try to put out there.
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