Graeme Souness has admitted he was wrong to think Lisandro Martinez's height would leave him exposed at Manchester United this season.
Martinez has been a revelation since joining from Ajax last summer, bouncing back from a difficult first two games and becoming a virtual ever-present in Erik ten Hag's plans. The second of those games saw a physical and direct Brentford side humiliate United, with much of the post-match criticism being aimed at the Argentinian's height.
Since then, however, Martinez has formed an elite three-way relationship with Raphael Varane and Casemiro, the experienced trio providing a solid base for the rest to feed off. Martinez in particular has become a favourite among the Old Trafford faithful for his combative approach and gamesmanship.
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The 25-year-old has more than proven his worth in the months that followed that defeat at Brentford, and former Liverpool man Souness has reneged on those early presumptions that the defender couldn't cut it in the top-flight.
“I think Lisandro Martinez is one of those players who, if you’re playing against him, would annoy the life out of you,” Souness told the Daily Mail. “He’s a feisty so-and-so isn’t he? The phrase “argue in an empty house” comes to mind! He’d have an argument with himself, looking in the mirror! But team-mates react to that.
“I thought he would be exposed when he arrived at United, because of his size and relative lack of pace. I have to hold my hands up, there. But he obviously has a real football brain and that “lead from the front” mentality. You can see it in him. Everyone on the pitch, he wants to have an argument with. I love to see that.
“Casemiro’s got a bit of it in him, too. They’re the ones who can carry the flag. And then, behind them, you’ve got others suddenly ready to stand up and be counted. I like the way Erik ten Hag has reinstated discipline. These are the kinds of qualities I always remember when we went up against Manchester United.”
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