There is a popular radio station in the United Kingdom that thrives by producing controversial content for social media. That radio station gives a platform to divisive pundits and they were among the people who criticised Manchester United this summer.
United were criticised for signing Lisandro Martinez from Ajax in July for a fee of £46.8million, rising to £55.3m, on a five-year contract and it was claimed the centre-back was not tall enough for the Premier League, and that he would struggle to succeed.
Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher was another who doubted Martinez. The 24-year-old started in the Brentford debacle and he was hooked at half-time in that match, which led to Carragher predicting that he would simply not be able to play in a back four.
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"We should never judge managers or players too early, but I'm convinced this can't work because the size of him playing in a back four," Carragher said. "Maybe he could play in a three, but in a back four, he cannot play there in the Premier League."
However, every pundit who doubted him was wrong. Martinez has spent just two months in Manchester, but the critics who doubted him are now silent after getting it badly wrong.
United fans serenaded Martinez with the chant of 'Argentina, Argentina' against FC Sheriff and that love from terraces is a testament to the impression he's made in a short period of time. Martinez is already on the path to becoming a cult hero at the club.
"I’m really happy and a little bit surprised with that [love from fans], but at the same time I feel very proud. To come here to the best club in the world and the people say, "Argentina, Argentina", for me it's amazing," Martinez said after Thursday night's win.
Martinez was doubted because of his stature. He stands at 5ft 9ins, which is diminutive for a centre-back in the Premier League, but that would not have been a concern for those who did their research on the player prior to his arrival at Old Trafford.
The data showed in the summer that Martinez averaged 5.3 aerial duels won per 90 in Eredivisie last season, which meant he actually averaged more each game than Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof, who all stand at over 6ft.
Martinez has learned to overcome his smaller stature by expertly anticipating the flight of the ball, while he also regularly disrupts and hassles his opponent. Martinez has continued to win duels in the Premier League and that was the main sticking point.
He has established a relationship with Varane in the centre of the defence and both players have been key in the club's strong run of form in the Premier League, which has seen United take a total of 12 points from their clashes with Liverpool, Southampton, Leicester and Arsenal.
Martinez's reading of the game is outstanding, he's aggressive at the back - perhaps sometimes too aggressive - and his dynamic range of passing is a huge asset for Erik ten Hag. He has been an excellent signing so far and a breath of fresh air.
Ajax fans nicknamed Martinez 'The Butcher of Amsterdam' during his time in the Netherlands and it has become clear why those supporters coined that nickname. Martinez wears his heart on his sleeve and he's not afraid of a strong challenge.
After the worst season at the club for decades, Ten Hag needed characters in the dressing room and he knew exactly what he was getting with Martinez, who has already demonstrated that he will fight for the shirt and the supporters in the stands.
Many pundits were wrong about Martinez and the player should be proud of serving some humble pie.
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