Lisandro Martinez says Manchester United are improving and ‘deserve more’

Lisandro Martinez says he can “see a light” at Manchester United despite Sunday’s “unacceptable” 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth, adding to the darkness around the club.

The Red Devils were booed by some of their own fans as they suffered a humiliating defeat at Old Trafford against the Cherries, just a week after a memorable late derby victory at Manchester City.

United lacked that spirit and cutting edge when Bournemouth visited, with Dean Huijsen becoming the latest player to exploit the fragility of their set-piece by scoring a free-kick in the first half.

Amorim recognized the need to address this weakness, as did his players’ inability to deal with setbacks after Antoine Semenyo scored two minutes after Justin Kluivert converted a penalty.

Bournemouth left Old Trafford with a 3-0 victory – just like last December – but defender Martinez believes things are looking up despite the club heading into Christmas on the 13th.

“We are very disappointed because I think we are playing so well,” said the Argentina international. “We are playing so well, we are creating a lot of chances and unfortunately we couldn’t score, so disappointed.

“We need to adjust some things, especially on set pieces, but I think we need to start games by scoring the first goal. We want to work on this.

“I think we have a great coach and a great group as well. We have a chance now because we know that in this club, losing is unacceptable, but we are here to change things.

Martinez explained that United do not seem to be being rewarded for their improved performances, he told MUTV: “Yes, for sure, we deserve more. I see a light in this club and I think we will achieve it.

“You see in the games that we are improving. You have to believe in it and it’s sure that it’s difficult to accept this kind of result.

“But I believe a lot in the staff, in our team and, like I said, we are going to change that.”

Bournemouth’s defeat follows Thursday’s chaotic 4-3 Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat at Tottenham – a double whammy United will look to bounce back from at Wolves on Boxing Day.

“We now have to recover and prepare well for the match because we need points,” added Martinez. “We want to change this situation. I’m 100 percent confident of that.

As United nurse their wounds, high-flying Bournemouth sit fifth in the table at Christmas – a place which could prove enough to seal Champions League qualification at the end of the season.

Andoni Iraola’s impressive Cherries will look to extend their unbeaten run to six and claim a fifth victory when Crystal Palace come to town on Boxing Day.

“Shellshocked, to be honest,” said goalscorer Semenyo. “Here, these are consecutive victories.

“I think we got the press right. I think everything in the first half and second half, we did it (sic) on a tee and, yeah, it’s just a good team performance.

“3-0 away, three points. It’s charming. It’s just great.

“Definitely (we are) in good shape. We just have to keep going, we just have to be positive.

“Everyone buys into what the coach does in training and it shows in the games as well.

“So, (we) just have to keep pushing and who knows what this team can do?”