Erik Lamela discusses goading Anthony Martial into red card in 2020

Former Tottenham winger Erik Lamela has discussed how and why he got Anthony Martial sent off for Manchester United during a Premier League game in 2020.

Spurs famously won 6-1 at Old Trafford at the beginning of the 2020/21 season, with the visitors racing away after Martial received his marching orders.

Prior to a Tottenham corner with the score at 2-1, Lamela sought to wind up Martial, with the Frenchman brushing his face during a minor scuffle. The Argentine made the most of the contact and fell to the floor a couple of seconds after being brushed, which was enough to see Martial pick up a red card.

Lamela signed for Sevilla at the end of that season, and falling out of favour at United, Martial joined him on loan for the second half of the 2021/22 campaign, scoring once in 12 games for the Andalusian side.

Martial is now back at United and expected to feature in their UEFA Europa League quarter-final with Sevilla, with the first leg taking place at Old Trafford on Thursday.

Speaking to The Times, Lamela opened up on this confrontation with Martial and how they put it to one side once they became teammates.

"We got to know each other properly. The first thing I told Anthony when he arrived was that what happens on the pitch stays on the pitch," Lamela said.

"He was a good guy, he laughed about it and we got on well.

"It's part of football. I played for eight years for another team and I always wanted to beat them in any way possible. It's normal they [United fans] don't like me."

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Erik Lamela's stance on Mauricio Pochettino's potential return to Tottenham

Lamela was also asked about the possibility of former boss Mauricio Pochettino returning to Tottenham.

Spurs fans have chanted Pochettino's name in recent matches, most recently in their 2-1 win at home to Brighton, with the club searching for a successor to Antonio Conte.

Pochettino was a universally popular figure at Tottenham during his five-and-a-half year stay, and Lamela understands why supporters want him to return.

"I think the fans have great affection for him because of all the things he did for the club, during all the years he was there," Lamela said.

"He put the club at the top, both in England and in Europe, and for many years, and at Tottenham that shouldn't be underestimated.

"The fans enjoyed that. I hear they want him back. I understand it, whether it will happen, I don't know."