 LISANDRO MARTINEZ

‘Argentina!’ was the cry from the Stretford End during United’s home game versus West Ham United. Leaving no doubt that Martinez is the new leader at the back and those around him feed on his insatiable appetite never to be beaten.

Gary Neville agreed. “Harry Maguire has to get used to playing on the right side of Manchester United’s defence because there is no way he’s going to get his spot on the left side. Lisandro Martínez has made that position his own.”

Born on the 18th January 1998, the left-footed Argentinean linked up with Manchester United in July 2022 from Ajax. Martínez had made 74 league appearances in total at Ajax, scoring six goals and providing five assists.

When he first arrived in England, eyebrows were raised. Martinez himself was ridiculed in some quarters for his height as a centreback. At 5ft 9in, the Argentine is the smallest centre-back in the Premier League and some fans expected him to be used at left-back or in defensive midfield due to the Premier League’s physicality. However the former Ajax defender is emerging as one of the standout performers and as one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League this season. He reads the game well and is blessed with enough strength and pace to thwart attackers. His aggression and passion also gives him an edge over United’s other centre-backs. Both whoscored.com and sofascore.com agree on Lisandro’s strengths being his tackling, ball control, aerial duels, passing and ball interceptions. Both are of the view that he has no weaknesses!

Another of his strengths is his ability to calm down those around him. In the West Ham game -another game in which Martinez produced another immaculate display - at various times during the match, when United fans and even Erik ten Hag began to appear agitated, it was Martinez who diffused and calmed down the situation.

When he had joined Ajax from Argentine side Defensa y Justicia, Martinez had then admitted that he had had a lot to learn to adapt to European football. But he was able to do so quickly. Martinez perfected his game, helping Ajax finish first in the league three times, and winning the Player of the Year award last season. United have certainly signed a

by Kenneth Abela

gem. To date he has started and played in every Premier League game, helping the team to keep five clean sheets in the process.

Ian Wright believes Lisandro Martinez has added quality Man Utd have not had in a while “Not only his positioning but he passes the ball through the lines. He’s exactly what they’ve needed.

Someone that doesn’t mess about, there’s no thrills with him it’s just bang, good challenges. He’s been a really, really good signing. I didn’t think he was going to be as good as he’s been.”

Former United midfielder, Owen Hargreaves agreed, “He’s added so much to the team. He’s given them so much. His performance in the game versus West Ham United had a big impact on Harry Maguire as well. There were so many positives for United that day but defensively Martinez was fantastic. Erik ten Hag will be really pleased.”

Martinez was in the limelight again in the following match at Villa Park, with United losing 3 - 1, two of the goals easily blamed on poor defending. On the day, Lisandro showed that

being aggressive is not always good, being involved in a contentious incident alongside Villa star Bailey in the 63rd minute. With the Argentine attempting to shield the ball out of play, he put his body in the way and seemingly drove his elbow into the midriff of the Jamaican forward. The former Ajax man then repeated the trick as he drove his arm towards Bailey’s stomach. The Villa man was left clutching his torso after the incident. Fortunately for United, neither the referee nor VAR were particularly interested as Martinez escaped serious punishment. This left Villa fans fuming on social media. However, Martinez was still voted as United’s outstanding player on the day, and practically one of the few Reds who could hold his head high after the shocking defeat. The Argentine recovered well after a few early mishaps and his marshalling of Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailly as well as his valuable overall contributions and clearances helping to keep the score respectable. He even won 100% of his contests in the air, had 102 touches of the ball and a pass accuracy of 89% . Thus his technical brilliance was on show again in the Villa defeat.

Martinez only played the last few minutes in the League Cup victory over Villa but the cheers and applause from the Old Trafford faithful when he came on only goes to show how quickly he has endeared himself to the club’s supporters.

United will have to play without Martinez when the Reds resume their Europa League adventure next year against Barcelona. This since Martinez’s bad fortune in matches against Real Sociedad continued when United played the return match in Spain last November. Following United’s loss when unjustly Martinez had been judged to have intentionally handled the ball, he will now be suspended, as his harsh yellow card in Spain marked his third yellow card in the competition this season, resulting in a one-match ban. The Argentine had been booked during the return clash with Sociedad at Old Trafford in September, as well as in the 3-2 win over Omonia Nicosia in October in Cyprus.

Liverpool’s Van Dijk is another admirer of the Argentine. He joked that he didn’t want Martinez helping his new club pip the Anfield side to trophies. “I have respect for what he’s achieved so far, and I hope he does well at United.”

Lisandro is on his way to the World Cup with Argentina, forming part of coach’s Lionel Scaloni’s 26-man group for the big tournament in Qatar. Before that, it was another great performance in the victory against Fulham.

He had endured a difficult start to life in the Premier League, not least when he was hooked off at half-time in United’s humbling defeat at Brentford in August. But the Manchester United defender has turned things around to help his team climb the table. He is already a firm favourite at Old Trafford, being named United’s Player of the Month in August, winning a record 84 per cent of the vote. If his good form continues, there’s every chance he will be named the club’s Player of the Year come May.