The 26-year-old followed Erik ten Hag from Ajax to United two years ago and has established himself as a fan favourite at Old Trafford despite missing much of last season through injury, helping the club lift the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup.
Just five months after joining United, Martinez got his hands on the biggest prize of them all as Argentina beat France in a pulsating final to secure their third World Cup.
Martinez featured in all but two of Argentina’s matches en course to their memorable victory and the defender is now a regular starter under Lionel Scaloni.
The United centre-back has also won back-to-back Copa America titles with with his country, taking his overall trophy haul for club and country to ten at the start of his career.
He will no doubt be desperate to add to that tally this term but it has been a disappointing start for the Red Devils, who suffered defeat in the Community Shield before losing two of their first three matches in the Premier League.
Speaking to La Nacion in Argentina, Martinez said it was up to him and the rest of the squad to get United firing again and return the club to its former glory.
‘When I set foot in United’s training centre in Carrington for the first time, I felt something special,’ he explained ahead of Argentina’s World Cup qualifying clash with Chile.
‘”We’re going to win here,” that’s what I felt. Like electricity, a strong energy of glory… something that motivated me a lot. “This is a place to win,” I told myself.
‘Well, we have already won two very important titles in two seasons, but we have to keep growing to reach our goal, which is to become what Manchester has always been, one of the very great teams, one of the best in the world.’
Martinez is pleased that Ferguson still has a strong connection with United, lifting the lid on his interactions with the iconic Scot over the last couple of years.
‘I have met Ferguson three or four times,’ Martinez said.
‘Ferguson is the God of Manchester. He is a person who gave a lot to the club and who continues to give because he remains connected.
‘Now, the new owners have also included him. When [Argentina] won the World Cup we spoke a little, he congratulated me. Later, also when we won the Carabao and the FA Cup – he is a legend of world football and I respect people’s privacy…
‘Of course I would like to be able to talk to him, actually listen to him, but I would not dare to invade his space.’
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