At the summit of the steepest stand in the Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla, a couple of Manchester United supporters unfurled a blue and white triband flag and chanted "Argentina".
There was no segregation, so United fans' support for a country the United Kingdom was in conflict with 40 years ago bemused the Andalucians during the friendly on Thursday night. The Mancunians were supporting United's present Argentine, Alejandro Garnacho, and the other in Qatar.
Lisandro Martinez has forged such an ardent bond with United supporters that when the Brazilian Casemiro leapt imperiously to equalise in added time at Chelsea, the celebratory chant was "Ar-gen-ti-na", so fervent were Martinez's celebrations. A steward had to haul him out of the Shed End.
Also read: Ten Hag showed why he is United manager material again even in defeat
In Doha, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni continues to prefer Nicolas Otamendi and Cristian Romero as his starting centre halves. Argentina clutched defeat from the jaws of victory through the pair's indecision in the upset against Saudi Arabia and Martinez replaced Romero against Mexico. Romero was then recalled against Poland and retained against Australia.
It is partly strategic. Romero emerged for Angel di Maria with Argentina 1-0 up against Mexico as they switched to a back three and Martinez replaced forward Papu Gomez with the scoreline the same in the narrow knockout defeat of Australia.
Martinez prevented Aziz Behich from scoring what would have been one of the great World Cup solo goals with a goal-saving block in the 81st minute. Martinez celebrated almost as jubilantly as he did at Stamford Bridge.
The only time Casemiro has not started in Qatar was in Brazil's insignificant final group game against Cameroon, with the Selecao already assured of topping Group G. Coach Tite started a midfield trio of Casemiro, Fred and Lucas Paqueta in the second match against Switzerland. Fred and Paqueta were substiuted. Casemiro stayed on and lashed in the deflected decider.
Casemiro gladhanded Roy Keane at Old Trafford on the night he was paraded by United. Keane, unimpressed by the Strictly Come Dancing numbers as Brazil led South Korea a merry dance, might have a sympathetic voice in the Brazilian dressing room.
A smiling Raphael Varane described Casemiro as a "warrior" on the evening he completed his £70million transfer from Real Madrid. Casemiro has ensured no right-minded United fan is refreshing the internet for updates on Frenkie de Jong.
Martinez and Casemiro are so integral to United's recovery Erik ten Hag mulled over whether to appoint one of them as captain for the defeat at Aston Villa. Ultimately, he massaged Cristiano Ronaldo's ego rather than bruising it. That was Ronaldo's last appearance for United.
It is a minor miracle Ronaldo's complaining sisters Katia and Elma did not Instagram about Ten Hag's rationale for settling on a captain who had refused to come on 18 days earlier. "It's about Harry Maguire is on the bench. Bruno is our captain, not available, and then it's about David de Gea: leader, but goalie is far away from the outfield.
"Then Casemiro is the leader, Licha [Martinez] can be a leader, Casemiro is not speaking 100% perfect English, and then Cristiano is the leader, especially [he] is the leader of the team so he has the band, clear."
It might make Ronaldo scowl, but he has a similar worldview to Ten Hag. He named Martinez and Casemiro as two of only three United players he admires. Fellow Portugal teammate Bruno Fernandes was not worthy of mention and neither was Varane, whose public relations representative was ironically behind Ronaldo's infamous interview with Morgan.
As unedifying as his prime motivation was behind the sit down with Morgan, Martinez has to be flattered by the namecheck. He spent fewer than four months as Ronaldo's teammate and left as much of an impression on him as he has United fans.
Those at Carrington say Martinez is quiet away from the pitch and he spoke softly at an Argentina press conference last week, when "the butcher" almost descended into a shrinking violet, shyly apologising for his English when his answer was completely cogent.
The Argentina flag in Cadiz had 'MUFC' stitched to it and Martinez swapped his shirt for one at Fulham. Back in Manchester, a banner has replaced the Sun of May with a cleaver.
Martinez approved.
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