Lisandro Martinez played a major part in Manchester United's 4-0 Champions League win over Sabah on Thursday evening, before ribbing Jamie Carragher on live TV in the aftermath
Lisandro Martinez speaks into a microphone
Lisandro Martinez joked with Jamie Carragher after Man United beat Sabah(Image: CBS Sports)
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Lisandro Martinez joked that he only watches "quality players" when asked by Micah Richards who the best CBS Sports presenter was on Thursday evening. United kickstarted their Champions League campaign with a 4-0 rout of Sabah at home.
Michael Carrick's men operated as a well-oiled machine as Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Benjamin Sesko and Martinez each found the scoresheet. However, it was a particularly poignant night for Martinez, given his effort marked his first-ever goal at Old Trafford.
The Argentine centre-half was in a playful mood in the aftermath, as he was interviewed by a CBS panel of Richards, Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher and Kate Scott. When asked by Richards who his favourite presenter of the show was, Martinez couldn't hold his tongue.
After highlighting how Henry was his personal favourite, Carragher asked: "What about us defenders," prompting a knee-slapping reply from the 28-year-old. He said: "I watch quality players, you know?"
That response caused a racket in the studio, with Henry, Carragher and Richards laughing and giving a round of applause. The ribbing didn't stop there, however, with Martinez - albeit a man of very few words - taking more time to have a laugh at Carragher's expense.
When asked by Richards if he used to watch the former Liverpool defender, and what he made of him as a footballer, Martinez replied: "As a player? Good person you know," much to the amusement of the studio.
It comes after Carragher was sceptical of Martinez at centre-half shortly after his arrival at the club in 2022, given the enforcer is just 5ft9'. Speaking on Sky Sports at the time, the 48-year-old said: "We should never judge managers or players too early, but I'm convinced this can't work because the size of him playing in a back four.
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"Maybe he could go left-back, maybe he could play in a back three, but in a back four, he cannot play there in the Premier League."
Having been proven wrong by Martinez, who has held his own in one of the world's most physically-demanding leagues, Carragher apologised the following year. He said: "He (Martinez) is a warrior and a leader.
"He and Casemiro are the two new signings who have transformed Man Utd. So apologies to Lisandro Martinez and Man United fans, you can stop tweeting me now about it."
Carragher's comments came after United soared to fourth in the Champions League standings as a result of their win, trailing just Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Barcelona in goals scored and goal difference.
Up next for the Reds in Europe is an away trip to Atletico Madrid come October 13. However, Carrick and co will first turn their attention to domestic duties ahead of the September international break.
The Manchester derby at the Old Trafford awaits the club on Sunday, before a League cup clash with Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday, September 16 at home. A trip to Craven Cottage caps off United's fixtures for the month on Sunday, September 20.