How Manchester United are preparing for the return of the new and improved Lisandro Martinez

An Argentina surfer flag was unfurled in the Stretford End to commemorate Lisandro Martinez's triumphant return from Qatar 18 months ago.

That an English football club so brazenly brandished the Sol de Mayo when enmity has simmered between the nations through sport and the Falklands conflict would be unthinkable if it were not Manchester United matchgoers. Their support for La Albiceleste dates back to little Englanders demonising David Beckham in 1998.

After France won the World Cup in 2018, United did not welcome back academy graduate Paul Pogba with the tricolore and a rendition of La Marseillaise, an anthem that has echoed around Old Trafford for three decades in homage to Eric Cantona. Pogba captained United and scored in their victory over Leicester on his return.

Pogba did not lack in quality but did lack commitment. Pep Guardiola claimed his agent had offered him to Manchester City seven months earlier and Mino Raiola did not dispute it. United supporters had not forgotten that.

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Martinez's United career was not six months old when he was reintroduced to the crowd in January 2023. Martinez had played 21 times for United but the bond was already ardent. He received a hero's welcome as teammates formed a guard of honour.

The Argentine could add another medal to his collection at the Copa America. Martinez scored in Argentina's quarter-final penalty shootout victory against Ecuador and Canada or Venezuela, ranked 48th and 54th, await in the semi-finals. The final is in Miami and holders Argentina will hope to party in the city where the heat is on.

Martinez, a starter