Christian Eriksen has named Lisandro Martinez as Manchester United’s funniest first-team member.
The midfielder was answering a series of questions sent in by fans from across the globe ahead of his trip to Qatar for the World Cup with Denmark. Both he and Argentina defender Martinez are in action on Wednesday as both countries try and qualify for the knockouts.
Denmark must beat Australia to qualify from Group D while Argentina will guarantee their place in the last 16 with a win over Poland in Group C. Eriksen has started both of his nation’s previous two ties while Martinez began his country’s vital 2-0 win over Mexico on Saturday after coming off the bench in the humiliating 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia.
The pair could meet each other in the next round if both make it through, but their relationship while playing on the pitch together at United seems healthy. The duo have starred for the Reds this season after arriving over the summer.
When asked about the funniest squad player, Eriksen underlined that he hadn’t been at the club that long but one answer came to mind. He told club media: “I’m new so I haven’t really seen how people react outside of the club, it’s on and off but I do think… I will say Licha Martinez. He’s also new, he’s a fun one to tease!”
Martinez has gone down a hit at Old Trafford for his bolshy displays and passionate output. The centre-half also has a menacing humourous side to him too, which was exemplified when his playful push caused Tyrell Malacia to faceplant the stomach of an in-pain Scott McTominay in the midst of his goal celebration during the 4-2 League Cup win over Aston Villa.
Other character-portraying instances include telling United fans to keep the ball in the crowd late on in the 1-0 away win at Southampton and celebrating towards the face of Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga after Casemiro’s late equaliser in October’s 1-1 draw.
Meanwhile, Casemiro has been named by Eriksen as the best teammate he’s played alongside at United. He added: “Every player has a different style, everyone has different abilities. At United, I would probably have to say Casemiro. He’s won about 20 Champions Leagues already, so it should be him!”
Casemiro’s late strike in Brazil’s 1-0 win over Switzerland on Monday saw his nation qualify for the knockouts with a game to spare. United colleague Tyrell Malacia – yet to get onto the pitch in Qatar – saw his Netherlands side top Group A after the Dutch ran out 2-0 winners over hosts Qatar.
England trio Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire join them in the knockouts following a 3-0 win over Wales while Bruno Fernandes’ double against Facundo Pellistri’s Uruguay on Monday means Portugal have also booked their place in the next round.
Meanwhile, Hannibal Mejbri’s Tunisia must beat Raphael Varane’s France to have any chance of progressing through to the knockouts in Denmark’s group.