Graeme Souness has warned Manchester United that Lisandro Martinez will eventually get 'pinned down' - due to his diminutive statue - but admits he cannot help but love their summer signing.
Martinez followed Erik ten Hag from Ajax to Old Trafford during the summer transfer window and has been a clear stand-out for United this season. He cost the club an initial £46.3million.
Striking up an impressive partnership with Raphael Varane, who has since picked up an injury, Martinez has already become a favourite with his aggressive play and influence on teammates around him. However, while Souness says there is plenty to admire about the 24-year-old, there is one lingering concern over his impact.
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Souness was pressed on Martinez by radio station talkSPORT this morning. He said: "That worry for me is still there [for Martinez]. If you watch from set-pieces, he still used a blocker or on the near post, he's not got the physique to take on the big guys and mark them man-for-man.
"I think he's brought a bit of aggression to them and in my experience in dressing rooms, if you've got players who are willing to have a fight or go out looking for a fight, then you've got several coming behind you. We've played 12 games and there's lots to like about him.
"I like his aggression, the first thing he did when he played Liverpool, he's gone right through Mo Salah. For the rest of the game, Mo Salah was looking for him, I like that - I love that. That's professional sport. He did his job very early on Mo Salah."
Souness added: "When you're that size, you will get caught, pinned in the box, but there's a lot to like about him. I don't think he's terribly quick, but he's got something that makes other people play, he's got real aggression.
"Common sense tells you at 5ft 9in, playing against guys who are 6ft 2in, he'll get pinned occasionally, he'll get outsprinted occasionally and he will get caught. I can't tell you any centre-back in my time in the English game that was super successful for being that size."
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