Man Utd star lifts the lid on not being happy as he gives Ruben Amorim opinion

Lisandro Martinez has bravely spoken out about his mental health battles and his path to inner tranquillity, whilst also offering his views on boss Ruben Amorim. In a heartfelt discussion, the Manchester United centre-back disclosed how counselling completely changed his outlook on life, providing an intimate look at the personal struggles endured by a top-flight footballer.

Martinez, who has been plagued by a string of injuries since his Old Trafford arrival in 2022, confessed that his psychological wellbeing suffered during his spell in the Netherlands. "I've been in therapy since I was at Ajax," he revealed to . "I was always against it until I found myself at a point in my life in Amsterdam where I had everything... I played for a European team, I was in the national team, I had the car I always wanted, I played every weekend, and I still felt empty, like I wasn't happy.

"It's not an easy process. You have to have the humility to accept being a normal person. Yes, I'm a footballer, but it's a profession, it's a sport, and we're all people."

Professional support, he revealed, enabled him to transform his mindset. "Since I started, I haven't stopped," Martinez added (via the Mirror). "I understood that you shouldn't look for anything outside but rather inside. I found happiness and peace with myself, which is priceless."

Martinez's candid recollections of his childhood in Gualeguay, Argentina, reveal a tale of tenacity born from hardship. "I come from a very poor background," he disclosed. "I know what it is to struggle, to be hungry, cold, hot. Did I go hungry? Yes. From a very young age, we were a very large family. Three families lived together, my grandparents, my uncles and cousins, all on the same plot of land."

Despite often facing meagre dinners of just tea and bread, Martinez reflects on those times with a sense of appreciation. "Maybe without that, today I wouldn't be who I am," he suggested. "What percentage of chances are there for a kid from Gualeguay, from the neighbourhood I came from, to get to where I am today?"

Despite setbacks from injuries, Martinez has been on an upward trajectory since turning professional in 2016. His transformative move to Ajax in 2019 saw him overcome doubts about his height as he played a pivotal role in securing consecutive Eredivisie titles in 2021 and 2022.

Following Erik ten Hag to Manchester United was a significant step, which was soon eclipsed by achieving his ultimate ambition of winning the World Cup with Argentina. While silverware at United has so far been confined to domestic cups, a fully fit Martinez consistently demonstrates his capability to rise to the occasion.

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The departure of Ten Hag in 2024 has thrown the future of the 27-year-old at United into uncertainty, especially given his less than stellar injury history. However, despite another setback with an ACL injury in February, Martinez speaks positively about his rapport with new head coach Amorim, who he says has injected "energy and willingness" into the team.

"The club is obviously going through a process of change. Since Six Alex Ferguson's departure, they haven't found a manager who hits the right note. Ten Hag did a remarkable job at Ajax, which is why he went to United, and thanks to him, I joined the club as well.

"It's like everything in life: you take a gamble, and sometimes it works out well, sometimes it doesn't. I think that, like any club, if something isn't working, it needs to be changed. It's necessary to analyse what's working and what isn't and make changes accordingly because that's how great clubs operate. Manchester is one of the best clubs in the world.

"Now Ruben Amorim has arrived with very good energy and willingness. I believe he will make the necessary changes. Without a doubt change is needed, because where we ended up in the table over the last two seasons is unacceptable."