LISANDRO MARTINEZ HAS warned his team-mates they can no longer ‘disrespect’ Manchester United with weak performances.
The Red Devils got back on track with their first win and first goal in four league games with the 1-0 victory over Brentford on Wednesday night.
That followed a 7-0 humiliation at the hands of Liverpool, drab goalless draw at home to Southampton and 2-0 defeat at Newcastle where they were easily second best.
Centre-back Martinez said: “It’s not possible when you lose this kind of game, especially against Newcastle.
“Now every game is a final and you have to play with passion, you have to be ready, you have to be sharp, you have to fight for these three points.
“If you don’t do that, it’s not showing respect for this club.
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“You have to be always every game fighting. Fighting for the badge.”
Manager Erik ten Hag was furious with the performance at St James’ Park and allowed the players to conduct their own post mortem in the dressing room.
Martinez said: “We spoke as a team.
“We know that it is not possible to play like that, especially these kind of games.
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“We have to fight more than the opponent, we have to play with more passion, we have to play with more energy.
“In the end, we have a really good squad, so we have to have everyone ready to play.”
Argentine World Cup winner Martinez revealed that no-nonsense Ten Hag’s mood had improved after the victory over Brentford.
He said: “He was happy. We have to keep going but with this mentality, not like against Newcastle.”
The victory moved United back above Tottenham into the top four Champions League qualification places.
Martinez, 25, said: “It was a massive three points for us.
“We want to be there, especially to qualify for Champions League. It’s up to us.
“We don’t have to think of other opponents.
“I really liked the reaction of the team, the effort as well. We won the game and that was good.
“Now we get the three points and we have to think now to Everton and we have to work a lot.”
United take on The Toffees in the lunchtime kick-off on Saturday at Old Trafford.
It is one of a possible 17 games United have until the end of the season which could see them land a Cup treble and finish in the top four.
They have already won the Carabao Cup and are in the semi-finals of the FA Cup and quarters of the Europa League.
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United will need their whole squad to finish a punishing season well and welcomed forward Anthony Martial back on Wednesday.
He could be a possible starter on Saturday but left back Luke Shaw is a doubt after coming off in the first half against Brentford with a tight hamstring.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
