Lisandro Martinez believes his embrace with Raphael Varane after beating France with Argentina to win the World Cup was vital to the pair's budding partnership on the pitch.
The former Ajax defender was a substitute in the World Cup final at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar, but was quick to console his Manchester United defensive partner and insisted that their relationship off the field has benefited them on it.
Martinez's fighting spirt has been praised by Erik ten Hag since his arrival in the Premier League, and he has strengthened a defence that looked shaky in the past alongside Varane - with both in action in Friday's 3-1 FA Cup win over Everton.