Why it's a milestone night for Martinez

The Argentina international has been handed the armband in the absence of Bruno Fernandes, who misses the game at Ulker Stadium through suspension, after being sent off in our last European outing, in Porto.

Casemiro, who has deputised for Fernandes when he has not been on the pitch this season, starts as a substitute in Istanbul.

Martinez is making his 70th United appearance but it is the first time the tenacious defender has led the team out in a competitive fixture.

As far as we can see, Licha hasn't skippered any of his previous clubs - Newell's Old Boys and Defensa y Justicia in his homeland, and Ajax - either.

However, he was captain for Argentina Under-23s' 3-1 victory over their Colombian counterparts in September 2019.

Fernandes has led the Reds in the vast majority of games since being appointed club captain by Ten Hag in the summer of 2023.

The Dutchman only named five starting line-ups which didn't feature our no.8 last term, and three different players wore the armband in his absence.

Scott McTominay was skipper for the 0-0 draw at Liverpool and 1-0 home defeat to Arsenal, while Casemiro was captain in losses against Newcastle and Crystal Palace.

Martinez's former defensive partner Raphael Varane, who recently announced his retirement from football, skippered United in one game - the 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Palace in September.