With Manchester United showing progress since the arrival of Erik ten Hag last summer, it’s fair to say that a lot of it has to do with the improvement in their defence.
Besides the tactical changes, the manager also requested the signing of Lisandro Martinez, who had played for him at Ajax and was bought by the Red Devils in a €57m deal.
The centre-back’s impact at Manchester United has now been talked about by club star Bruno Fernandes, who gave an interview to ESPN Argentina.
The midfielder was asked about ‘Licha’ Martinez, and started by explaining why the defender managed to become loved by the club’s fans so quickly.
“I knew Licha, I’m not going to say that I knew him a lot, but I knew his qualities with the ball, because I had seen some matches. I knew how he came out well from behind, obviously we know that with the Argentine blood, there’s always a little more hunger there, a little more desire, so you know they always give a little more. You always know that when an Argentine player arrives, he will bring you this… these things that teams often lack.
“And Licha arrived well, he arrived earning his place, he’s a player that people believed could not, given his height, play in the Premier League, because we know that it is a very physical championship. But I’m not very strong either and I’ve been playing here for three years. So I think that this mentality that Licha has, this winning mentality, this desire to show himself as one of the best, makes him so good.
“I knew that the fans would like Licha’s way of being, I knew why United fans here like people who want, who want more, who fight, who leave nothing to do in the match, who leave everything on the pitch. And I think Licha always does that, then you can play well or badly, it happens to everyone, but I think that the mentality he has and what he does in matches is what makes the fans like him.”
Then speaking of Manchester United’s defence, Bruno Fernandes praised the partnership between Martinez and Raphael Varane, saying they are two players who can complete each other well.
He also believes Victor Lindelof is another played in the squad who can work well with each of the other two mentioned.
“I believe he arrived and did very well, the moment for the team also changed. We started to have more or less the same players more regularly, and I think for him, the many games he played with Rapha at his side went well. Because Rapha is a very calm player, the difference between Licha and Rapha, as we say, is like water and wine.
“So they complement each other very well because Rapha has this tranquility, this thing of knowing the moments, like Licha has, but Licha has more… like me, a little. With that fire inside that often doesn’t let us control the moments.
“And I believe that Rapha complements Licha very well, like Victor, as they do. But I think with Rapha he found the stability as a player that probably makes him better. They played many games together that gave us a lot of peace of mind, a lot of quality behind us and I believe that Licha is making a big difference for us.”
Even though Lisandro Martinez has made 45 appearances for Manchester United since his arrival at the club, he’s only played 26 matches alongside Raphael Varane, who has struggled with injuries this season.
Now that the Frenchman is back for the FA Cup final, it’s the Argentine player who’s ruled out, and Erik ten Hag will certainly miss their partnership.
Should the pair be able to put together a full season for the next campaign then it will give Manchester United some more stability, and certainly please Bruno Fernandes.
