EXPERIENCE AND MINDSET
Licha is quick to talk up the need for the appropriate mindset. After closing 2025 with a disappointing home draw against Wolves, he told MUTV: “We can’t be in our stadium still drawing and losing points. I think you have two ways [to react]: one is like making excuses, or one is taking it with a big personality and say: ‘Guys, we are missing points, and now we have to go for the next one, and we have to show who we are.’ We have to connect with ourselves as well.
“We have to deal better, sometimes, with the moments of the games. Sometimes, for a few moments, with no concentration or something like that, we lose games, and then you think: it wasn’t enough, but if you look back at the game afterwards, you see we played good in this game. We have to relax. We already have pressure, we already have tension; imagine if you add more. Then it’s impossible to play football. And it’s football, it’s a sport, it’s not like a war. It’s just football; we have to enjoy being able to play for this amazing club.”
As one of the more experienced members of the United squad, Martinez recognises his influence around Carrington. The Argentinian takes his role seriously – always being mindful of how the club’s fledgling talents are developing, offering advice and encouragement. “Those guys, at that age, to be playing for this club... it’s crazy, it’s amazing, it’s a big achievement for them,” he said. “So, we have to be there to help them. Make them humble, make sure they learn every day, where they are and what it means, also, to play for this club.”