Lisandro Martinez backs Manchester United teammate Andre Onana over Harry Maguire incident

Cross paths with Lisandro Martinez off the pitch and he is charm personified. Softly spoken and so polite he replies with "sorry?" if he does not quite understand a question, Martinez relishes the interaction with reporters, offering a grateful wink to a journalist after his five-minute stop-off in the mixed zone at the Allegiant Stadium.

You cross him at your peril on the pitch. Martinez ploughed into Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham in his two starts for Manchester United on their pre-season tour of the United States. He was booked for both fouls.

Martinez continued bickering with Saka at the interval. It would be an Argentine targeting Englishmen to bring some fire to the friendlies.

It was only three-and-a-half months ago that Martinez fractured his metatarsal against Sevilla. He was always bound to eschew the tentative approach on his return to playing.

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"For sure," he smiles. "When I play football, I give everything, I play like this - with passion. Because when I look at the badge, I represent this club. It's amazing. All I can only give is my body and my heart and everything. I represent this club with my all and I hope all the players [do] as well.

"I feel fully fit now, I feel happy because I love football. It was really tough when you are out and you can't do anything, you know? But now I'm ready and looking forward.

"I feel stronger than last season and I think also the team wants to show something different when the league starts. So we are fully positive and we feel really strong."

Martinez acknowledged Bellingham after their duel in Texas last week. Bellingham spoke effusively about a "brilliant player" and "a great competitor and a great player. Just