Erik ten Hag hailed summer signing Lisandro Martinez’s ability to wind up Liverpool as he offered an x-rated reaction to Manchester United’s victory.
The Europa League hopefuls earned a 2-1 win against the injury-ravaged Reds in the latest Premier League meeting between the bitter North West rivals at Old Trafford on Monday.
United centre-back Martinez was involved in a number of flare-ups throughout the game with James Milner, Mohamed Salah and Fabio Carvalho targeted for particular treatment.
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And delighted United boss Ten Hag said of the Argentina international: “That is what he is bringing to the squad.
“He is South American and that his one of his attributes. He can bring that into this squad and this team.”
The win was Ten Hag’s first since assuming the hotseat at Old Trafford, prompting an excited response from the Dutchman.
“You can see what they can achieve,” he said. “They can f***ing play football.
“We are satisfied and happy, that is clear. We wanted a different approach.
“Always when you find out when you come to the club, you need to know your players. I want to see players who fight out of possession and in possession, you have to be brave. We have seen that tonight all over the pitch.
“We have a long way to go. We are in a process and we will have setbacks, you have highlights and this is a highlight but we are just getting started. There is a lot of room for improvement.
“I hope the players now understand the basis is always the team’s fighting spirit. We have a squad, a way of playing and a gameplan and we do what is best for the game. That’s what we did today.”
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