Lisandro Martinez has hailed Raphael Varane as a “legend” of the game as his partnership with the World Cup winner continues to blossom.
The duo started together in the 2-0 win against Sheriff Tiraspol in Moldova on Thursday night, the fifth time in six games they’ve been paired together at the back, helping United to three clean sheets.
Martinez has been immediately trusted by Erik ten Hag after his £56million move from Ajax this summer and having initially started the season alongside Harry Maguire, he is now thriving in a partnership with Varane.
READ MORE: United tried two tactical experiments vs Sheriff Tiraspol
The Frenchman had his fitness issues in his first season at the club, but he worked hard in pre-season under Ten Hag and has been excellent since displacing Maguire.
“Everyone knows how good he is. He is a legend for me,” Martinez said after the win in the Zimbru Stadium. “I’m really happy to play with him at the back, but every player in the team is ready to play. Every player is doing well and working hard. That’s the important point. “It’s not just Varane, it is Harry, it is Luke Shaw, it is Donny can de Beek, it is everyone. Everyone is ready, that is the good point [of where we are] as a team.”
Martinez was in the spotlight after United suffered back-to-back defeats to open the season and his lack of stature was questioned.
At 5ft 9ins he is slight by Premier League standards for a centre-back, but his aggression and physicality are prized by Ten Hag, who wanted to bring Martinez with him from Ajax.
The 24-year-old admits the adjustment was tricky to start with, but he is now thriving for United and is becoming a fan favourite.
“Well, the Premier League is the best league in the world because it is very physical and you are playing against the best players in the world every game. You have to prepare, you have to be ready for that," he said. “I think, at the beginning, it was a bit hard but like every step I have had to take in my career, you have to work hard, you have to keep going. Now we are doing well.”
Martinez, who followed the United careers of Juan Sebastian Veron and Gabriel Heinze closely, was substituted late in Thursday’s Europa League success, leaving the pitch just in front of the 600 travelling fans, who serenaded him with a rendition of ‘Argentina, Argentina’.
“It makes me feel very proud, I’m really happy to feel this love from the fans,” Martinez said of that chant. “It is amazing every game they sing Argentina, Argentina because that is my country, I love my country and if they say that it makes me feel very emotional.
“I was surprised [at the atmosphere] to be honest because I had never been to England before and I really love the passion of the people. It’s not just Manchester United, it is every stadium.
“It is amazing, that passion, it is amazing to play like that. Every stadium you can feel the atmosphere and that is great for me because I want to play every game at 100%.”
Martinez was being chased by Arsenal as well in the summer transfer window, but once United made their move he only had eyes for Old Trafford and a reunion with Ten Hag.
“I chose Manchester United because it is the best club in the world. That is it,” he said. “It was that simple for me. It is the best club in the world. Every game you can feel the support of the people.”
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