Man United defeated Real Betis 4-1 in the Europa League on Thursday, a result which essentially killed the tie in the first leg.
Martinez started the game. (Image: MUTV)
Lisandro Martinez is delighted for Bruno Fernandes and Antony after they scored for Manchester United against Real Betis.
Erik ten Hag wanted a response from his players after the Anfield debacle and he got exactly that against Betis, with his side comfortably defeating the Spanish club 4-1 at Old Trafford, despite the scoreline being level at the break.
Marcus Rashford, Antony, Fernandes and Wout Weghorst, whose only previous goal for United came against Nottingham Forest in January, got on the scoresheet and the latter looked particularly delighted to find the net.
The players received heavy criticism after the Anfield debacle, but a comfortable win in the Europa League, just four days later, was an ideal response to that setback and Martinez spoke to MUTV after the final whistle to reflect on the display.
“It was a great result for us, but we have to keep going,” Martinez said. “It doesn’t say anything this result. It’s the first leg and when we go to Betis, we have to be ready and focused, especially in their home, they play well and have the support of their people.
“We are happy for this game. I think the energy of the team [lacked], they started to play, and in the second half we changed the passion, the energy and we showed our mentality and we created more chances, then we score.
“He’s a really good player [Antony], with a lot of quality, his skills are amazing and I’m happy for him because it’s important for his confidence. I’m really happy with the job of the team.
“I’m happy for him [Fernandes] as well, as like you say, there was a lot of criticism to our team but it’s like this when you play for a big, big team, it can happen, so you have to be ready and be happy with where we are.”
