Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes believes that Lisandro Martinez is already indispensable to the Red Devils despite being just six matches into his Old Trafford career.
The Argentine defender arrived at the club early in the summer transfer window by completing a big-money, £57m switch from Dutch giants Ajax. He endured a tricky start to life with United with a loss on his debut against Brighton and followed that up with a horror show in a shocking reverse at the hands of Brentford.
Despite that, Martinez has been hugely impressive since having played a key role in four consecutive wins - a run that includes Sunday’s impressive victory over previously unbeaten Arsenal.
Having watched his former side halt the Gunners’ perfect start to the new season, Scholes has suggested that he would already be concerned should Martinez not be available.
He said: “At United it’s about the determination more than anything you know the talent is there but it’s about getting up to people, stopping people, getting up to people being solid at the back. Having that solid back four now is helping them. Martinez coming out of that might be a worry going forward.”
Martinez has certainly struck up an excellent understanding alongside Raphael Varane in the heart of the United defence despite the Red Devils having only kept two clean sheets in their opening six Premier League games.
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That has seen club captain Harry Maguire restricted to the Old Trafford bench and the former Leicester star displayed his rustiness after being introduced during the second-half against Arsenal with Martinez having been withdrawn through injury. He immediately picked up a booking for a foul on Gabriel Jesus.
Maguire might have a chance to stake his claim in the United starting XI in midweek with the Red Devils set to kick off their Europa League campaign against Spanish side Real Sociedad.
Erik ten Hag was full of praise for the defence that he elected to put out against Arsenal though so it remains to be seen if the England centre-back is drafted back in should Martinez be fit.
The Dutchman said: "We had a good plan, we didn't get it all on the pitch, we couldn't control it when we should have. We got a set back and we fight back, that's good to see. I like this mentality. Arsenal played well but we defended well - I never had the feeling that they'd break us. They had a lot of movement and creativity but we defended as a team with all 11.
"We can have better pressing and organisation, we can control the game more, we can be better in possession with better composure on the ball then we will dictate the game even more. We haven't been together long so we'll work on it."
