"Ending Harry Maguire's career" - Twitter reacts to Lisandro Martinez's Man of the Match display
FT Desk
- 27 Aug 2022 15:00 BST
- 6 min read
Manchester United’s second biggest signing of the transfer window – Lisandro Martinez – had another great performance at the back for them in their away win against Southampton.
The Argentine was named Man of the Match for the second consecutive game, having done the same in their win against Liverpool last Monday.
It’s also United’s second consecutive win of the season, and a much-needed boost following a difficult start to the campaign when they lost their opening two matches.
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Martinez proves doubters wrong again
There have been plenty of doubts over Martinez’s height, but he has proven that it isn’t everything with performances of great aggression and desire.
Lisandro Martinez’s game by numbers vs. Southampton:
100% ground duels won
100% successful dribbles
61 touches
48 passes
7 clearances
5/5 aerial duels won
4 interceptions
Another player of the match performance and a clean sheet. 🔒 pic.twitter.com/XfvAuTEBmi— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) August 27, 2022
Lisandro Martinez last 2 games:
v Liverpool: Man of the Match
v Saints: Man of the Match— Alex Shaw (@AlexShawESPN) August 27, 2022
I'm so here for Lisandro Martínez celebrating and congratulating his teammates every time they win throw-ins and free kicks.
— Jonas Adnan Giæver (@CheGiaevara) August 27, 2022
Licha Martinez is the first name on the team sheet. Every week.
— ً (@utdrobbo) August 27, 2022
Also, the players and managers who were planning of targeting Lisandro Martinez must be thinking twice now.
— Emmanuel Ayamga (@EmmanuelAyamga_) August 27, 2022
Lisandro Martinez helping us remember what clean sheets are again. Tears in my eyes
— Trey (@UTDTrey) August 27, 2022
Martinez joined the club in a deal worth €57 million plus add-ons, and criticism was rife against him after the Red Devils’ opening two defeats.
He was even taken off against Brentford at half-time, which raised further doubts over whether he could hack the Premier League, but Erik ten Hag kept faith in his signing, having seen him succeed at Ajax.
Martinez has since been widely praised, with some believing that he’s even ended Harry Maguire’s Manchester United career, having paired well with Frenchman Raphael Varane in the last two matches.
Lisandro Martínez looks like a bargain I am so glad Manchester United signed him.
Such a warrior who lives and breathes every kick of the ball and brings great spirit to this team.
Harry Maguire is done in this team guys for sure.#MUFC #SOUMUN pic.twitter.com/gPh2fgSIS9— UtdActive 🔴 (@UtdActive) August 27, 2022
Lisandro Martínez for the second game on the bounce getting man of the match, my guy ending Harry Maguires career.
— 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐚'𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫 🔰 (@CantonasCoIIar) August 27, 2022
Additionally, the signing of Casemiro from Real Madrid will add further defensive solidity for the club, allowing Martinez to excel even further and make a bigger impact.
In terms of his height, he’s not lost a single aerial duel and is generally confident on the ball, giving Ten Hag options to move the ball forward in the way he wants his team to move forward.
In the summer, Manchester United were involved in long negotiations with Ajax for Martinez, and his performances are proving why Ten Hag was so eager to get him.
How far United go will be interesting, but Ten Hag has been vindicated early on in his desire to bring Martinez over from Ajax, and he’s proving to be hard to drop.
