Lisandro Martinez: Setting the Standard

On 22 August 2022, in Erik ten Hag’s second competitive home game as United manager, the Argentinian centre-back turned in a combative yet classy display which underpinned the first victory of the Dutchman’s reign. A sweat-soaked shift punctuated by primal screams and fist-bumps set the tone for what supporters could come to expect of the newcomer.

 

In the first half alone against Jurgen Klopp’s side, Martinez became embroiled in two minor altercations, with Mohamed Salah and James Milner, produced a point-blank goal-line clearance to prevent a Bruno Fernandes own goal, and hurled himself into a last-ditch block from Salah’s goal-bound effort.

 

For good measure, he also provided the crucial, line-breaking pass in a clutch moment during the move for Jadon Sancho’s opening goal as the Reds went on to register a rousing 2-1 victory.

 

‘Argentina! Argentina! Argentina!’ rang around Old Trafford that evening and has become a staple of the supporters’ soundtrack – not least during last month’s season-opening win over Fulham, in which Martinez once again underlined his enduring brilliance and key influence on events.

After being outstripped by the winger’s electric pace in the first period, Martinez demonstrated his quick thinking by standing off Traore in their next battle, two minutes later, ultimately shutting down the Spaniard’s raid and, for good measure, levering him to the floor in the process. 

 

“I sent him to the gym, no?” joked the defender in his post-match interview with Sky Sports, before quickly paying serious tribute to his foe and stressing: “No, it’s really difficult to play against this opponent. I learned from the first one, because in the first situation he killed me, and then I kill him back.”

 

Though he arrived from Ajax with the nickname ‘the Butcher’ and has frequently demonstrated his readiness for confrontation whenever defending his shirt, Martinez’s true bloodlust is for competition and success – ends which he seeks to achieve through a streetwise blend of physicality and intellect. 

 

Two trophies in two seasons bear out his importance to the cause, with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola singling out the Argentinian as the low-key match-winner during last May’s FA Cup final.

 

“Lisandro Martinez is in the top five centre-backs in the world,” the Spaniard reflected. “He made the difference on this game by playing passes through our defence.”

A football obsessive who watches any and every televised action he comes across, the 26-year-old is far removed from the hardman defender trope. He thinks ceaselessly about his sport, his club and his role within both.

 

Having joined United with enough linguistic dexterity to conduct his first interview in English, he has since mastered his adopted tongue and can convey his thoughts perfectly, regardless of the situation.

 

This has hastened his assimilation to life in the Premier League and, moreover, allowed him to immerse himself in the challenge of upholding United’s historic high standards.

 

Speaking midway through last season, the Argentinian spelled out not only his gratitude for being in his position, but also shed light on the upbringing which shaped his mentality. He explained how he spends a portion of his daily drive to Carrington remembering his upbringing in the working-class city of Gualeguay, more than 200 kilometres from Buenos Aires.

“For sure, for sure, I always do that every day, it doesn’t matter what time,” he explained. “I think it is really important to remember from where you started. It is really important to me. 

 

“You have to be grateful,” he stressed, gesturing around the Reds’ training facility. “Look at this place, look at the badge, look at the stadium, the people, the fans, the passion. You just have to fight for your people, you have to fight for everybody. It is not just about you, it is about millions and millions of people. We need to be humble. Put the feet on the ground and go, go and do not stop.

 

“From the beginning of my life, my father always said: ‘You can improve from everybody.’ So, I fight. ‘Fight for your food,’ he always said to me. I try to fight, I try to be a good person, to share my love with the people around, to be a big example for everybody, I try to win, I try to give everything. I think it is really important, my family.”

The sight of a fit and fired-up Martinez on the opening night of the new season provided a huge boon for all of a United persuasion, having counted the cost of the defender’s injury-enforced absence for swathes of last term.

A foot injury forced him out for three months at the start of the campaign, followed by knee ligament damage within three games of his long-awaited return and, for good measure, a calf strain rounded off all but the final three games of the season.

 

Reduced to just 14 outings all term in 2023/24, Licha’s importance was evident in his absence as the Reds struggled to build momentum in both performances and results. 

 

A key presence when it comes to joining the dots between all departments of the team tactically – not least in reprising the productive relationship he had enjoyed with Andre Onana back in Amsterdam – his importance was spelled out by Ten Hag after the defender’s knee injury was confirmed last February. 

 

“You see his contribution to the team when he is playing,” said the Dutchman. “He brings, apart from his technical skills, also a mentality in the team.”

 

That psychological strength was underlined both during and after August’s win over Fulham. Having played his part in a priceless clean sheet, Martinez was reminded during his post-match interview of the scepticism which had greeted his arrival in England two years prior, with Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher particularly vocal back then about the newcomer’s ability to cope with the physicality of the Premier League.

 

“First of all, I always believe in myself, in my strength as well,” said Licha, smiling as he addressed Carragher directly. “I know I’m not really, really tall, but I will win, I will go with personality in every ball, every duel, I will show that I’m there in the pitch. And also, to get that connection with my team-mates, if you win the first ball or the duel, your team-mate will say: ‘I should work like you.’ So that’s major for me.

 

“As a player we are ready for everything. Criticise. It is part of our job. If you are here for excuses, you are not ready for this club. If you play bad, be ready for criticism. I was ready for that. It’s difficult to play for this big club. Big pressure, but we love that. We have to play in a positive way. We have to take that pressure and responsibility. I’m proud to play for this club.”

That pride is always evident whenever Martinez pulls on the United shirt and he is as primed for the battles ahead as he has been for those that have passed.

The summer arrivals of Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt have strengthened the Reds’ defensive ranks, heightening competition in a group already replete with international-quality options. With injuries continuing to bite on the left side of the backline, however, Martinez has already demonstrated his versatility by spending periods as a moonlighting left-back – a temporary role he approached with typical gusto.

 

“I didn’t play many games as a left full-back,” he admitted. “But as a player we have to give alternatives to the team. If the team needs me there, I will give everything. Everyone is ready to play for every position.”

 

Even though his first two seasons at Old Trafford have presented countless physical and mental challenges, Martinez has ended each campaign with a major trophy in his hands – not to mention both the World Cup and Copa America after mid-season successes with Argentina – and he is dead set on maintaining his winning habit going forward.

 

Two years on from his breakthrough outing at Old Trafford, the mutual love between defensive figurehead and United supporters is stronger than ever. Whatever aspirations evolve for United during 2024/25, Lisandro Martinez will be central to those hopes.