Martinez scores first Old Trafford goal then trolls Carragher on live TV after United's 4-0 rout

Lisandro Martinez capped a landmark personal night by getting the better of Jamie Carragher on live television, scoring his first-ever Old Trafford goal as Manchester United opened their Champions League campaign with a 4-0 demolition of Sabah on Thursday.

Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Benjamin Sesko and Martinez all found the net as Michael Carrick’s side moved through the gears at Old Trafford. For the Argentine centre-back, the goal carried extra meaning — it was his first at the ground he has called home since 2022.

The 28-year-old was in a mischievous mood during a post-match interview with the CBS panel of Micah Richards, Thierry Henry, Carragher and Kate Scott. When Richards asked Martinez to name his favourite presenter on the show, the defender pointed to Henry before Carragher interjected: “What about us defenders?”

Martinez’s reply brought the studio down. “I watch quality players, you know?” he said, drawing laughter and applause from all three pundits. He wasn’t finished, either. Asked by Richards whether he used to watch Carragher as a player and what he made of him, Martinez delivered a perfectly timed pause before responding: “As a player? Good person, you know” — again to the delight of the room.

The exchange carries a particular edge given Carragher’s public scepticism when Martinez arrived at United. Speaking in 2022, the former Liverpool defender argued the 5ft 9in centre-half could not function in a Premier League back four, suggesting he might be better suited to left-back or a back three. Martinez has since proven those doubts unfounded, establishing himself as one of the division’s most combative defenders.

Carragher acknowledged as much the following year, saying: “He 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.”

Thursday’s result gives United a commanding start to their Champions League group stage, with the margin of victory and the collective nature of the performance — four different scorers — underlining the cohesion Carrick’s squad has built early in the campaign.