Michael Owen says Lisandro Martinez wrapping his boot around Patrick Bamford’s neck during Manchester United’s 2-2 draw against Leeds United on Wednesday night was ‘not pleasant’, as he told Premier League Productions (08/02/23 at 9:05 pm).
The former striker added that Martinez ‘knows absolutely everything that he is doing here’ and it’s something he could have ‘easily avoided’ towards the Leeds United striker.
Just towards the end of the first half, the ball was hooked over by Bruno Fernandes with Martinez and Bamford contesting a 50-50 ball.
It resulted in both players falling to the floor after they collided with one another, with Bamford landing back into the path of the £57 million Man United man (Sky Sports), who then proceeded to flick his leg into the face of his rival.
Some may argue that it was a natural reaction from the all-aggressive Martinez, but others will feel that it should and could have been avoided, as he perhaps got away with one.
Well, Michael Owen was certainly siding towards Bamford and how Martinez was ‘trying to leave a little bit on him’.
“We have all been there before where you think ‘you know what, I can make this look like quite a natural movement, but I am going to leave a little bit on him’,” said Owen.
“He knows absolutely everything that he is doing here. This little hook around the neck. He can easily avoid that.
“Then to keep his foot there and drag his studs on the top of Bamford’s head. But it wasn’t a stamp. It wasn’t an obvious action. You are always going to get away with it.
“He knows deep down that he is trying to leave a little bit on him there. A little stud on the head. It’s not pleasant. Metal studs are quite sore when they scrape down on your head. He knows exactly what he is doing.”
DRAW A FAIR RESULT
It was a chaotic, all-action, frantic, entertaining and aggressive game by both teams. One that you would expect for such a fixture.
The result reads a draw at the end of the first contest, and in truth, it was probably the fair result.
But the two heavyweights will come to blows again on Sunday, this time, Leeds could be in with every chance of having a new man in the dugout at Elland Road.
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