Here are your Thursday morning Manchester United headlines.
24.03.2023 - 17:13 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has confirmed that Argentina are continuing with the World Cup ritual credited with transforming their World Cup campaign.
Lionel Messi may have led his country to lift the trophy in December, but it was far from a straightforward triumph. Argentina lost their opening group stage game at the World Cup against Saudi Arabia before recovering remarkably to win all of their next six matches.
There was one crucial change after that initial defeat, which Martinez instigated. The United player asked international teammate and Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero to bring him palo santo, a sacred tree native to South America that translates directly to 'holy wood'.
READ MORE: Ronaldo has changed his tune with comments about United exit
Speaking about it to Argentinian broadcaster TyC Sports in March, Martinez said: "It’s a lifestyle. I try to find the balance because we live by the thousand. I’m looking for the energy balance. We went onto the balcony, lit up and asked for the World Cup."
Asked about the palo santo again by TyC following Argentina's first fixture following the tournament, Martinez replied: “Obviously there was palo santo today as well. It cannot be missing. Didn’t you see smoke coming out of the window?”
Their winning run continued as late goals from Thiago Almada and Messi ensured a 2-0 victory over Panama for the world champions on Thursday. The latter was the Argentina captain's 800th career goal.
Martinez started the friendly on the bench before replacing former Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi at half-time. Argentina are in action again on Tuesday against Curacao.
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Here are your Thursday morning Manchester United headlines.
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Here are your latest Manchester United morning headlines on Tuesday, April 4.
Manchester United face a defining few weeks in their season as they chase two further trophies and Champions League football. Erik ten Hag's side are in the Europa League quarter-finals and the last four of the FA Cup, where they face Sevilla and Brighton respectively. United are also in the thick of the top four race in the Premier League.
Manchester United's January transfer failings are now coming back to haunt them, believes Old Trafford great Gary Neville.
Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay has admitted that Scotland manager Steve Clarke urged him to play with a smile on his face ahead of his recent heroics on the international stage.
Paris Saint-Germain forward and Argentina captain Lionel Messi scored his 100th international goal to enter an exclusive club alongside former Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday night.
Manchester United will play Wrexham in a summer friendly as the first details of the club's pre-season tour were confirmed.
Former Manchester United captain and previous holder of England's all-time top goalscorer record Wayne Rooney reportedly had to turn down the opportunity to present Harry Kane with the Golden Boot due to MLS commitments.
Manchester United centre-back Raphael Varane has admitted that he expects to finish his playing career at one of three clubs.
Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero believes there is a 50 per cent chance of Lionel Messi returning to Barcelona before retiring.
Manchester United legend Roy Keane joked that former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy was a "f****** idiot" as he recalled an altercation between the pair during their playing days
Cristiano Ronaldo reunited with a couple of his former Manchester United teammates while on international duty with Portugal this week - finding particular joy in seeing Diogo Dalot once again.
Marcus Rashford will not feature for England in their upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine after withdrawing from the squad due to injury.
Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes sent a message to his former Sporting Lisbon teammates after they defeated Arsenal to progress to the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
A gang locked up following a spree of car thefts were linked to a burglary at the family home of Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof. Declan McClusky, Alan McCabe, Kade McEwan and Christopher Ward were sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court this week for their part in a conspiracy to burgle homes from December 2021 to March 2022.