Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Tyrone Marshall

The 30 seconds that highlighted Lisandro Martinez transformation in Manchester United defence

There is an unexpected piggyback from David de Gea, a shove on the back for Marcus Rashford and a roar of approval into the face of Harry Maguire. Oh, and a fist-bumping scream towards the Manchester United fans. The celebrations of another three points for Lisandro Martinez.

The Argentine's celebrations are becoming iconic already at United, not just when his team score goals, but when they stop them as well, and they had to work seriously hard to stop them against West Ham.

In a way, Martinez sums up the transformation at United. Written off as a flop after two games and two defeats, now his height is irrelevant. How tall is he again? He had to defend against a 6ft 5in striker at the weekend and nobody gave it a second thought in the build-up to the game.

READ MORE: How Ten Hag has helped Rashford rediscover his best form

What Martinez lacks in stature he more than makes up for in aggression. He is one of the most energetic, committed central defenders to grace the Premier League in a long time.

Against West Ham, he was flying into challenges as United withstood a second-half barrage. On one occasion he beat the giant Gianluca Scamacca to a header simply because he wanted it more.

Speak to United fans and there is a growing number who will list Martinez as their favourite player, not just of this crop, but in many a year. After a spell when too many big-money signings were forgettable flops, Martinez is the perfect antidote.

He has already formed a close bond with the supporters and is being considered something of a cult hero, although that does him a disservice. Cult heroes are normally players who were popular with fans despite not being that good. Martinez is proving to be exceptional.

His energy in defence has transmitted itself to his teammates. United have had bad days at the back this season, notably against Brentford and Manchester City, but they are clearly improving. There have been five successive clean sheets at Old Trafford and since shipping six at the Etihad, they have conceded just four goals in eight games.

There is a desire to put bodies on the line now and the way Martinez celebrate with De Gea and Maguire at the final whistle yesterday showed how much they are valuing clean sheets. When the final whistle goes he is manic.

Erik ten Hag deserves credit for spotting what Martinez can bring to the United defence. Not just in his aggression which was absent so often last year, but his quality on the ball as well. His forward passing has been a revelation.

His outgoing and exuberant personality on the pitch does seem to be spreading to his teammates, encouraging them to throw off the shackles and the conservatism.

Ten Hag has regularly referenced the importance of team spirit this season and in the programme on Sunday, he talked about the importance of collective celebrations.

"I think the celebrations we saw from all the players after Casemiro's goal at Stamford Bridge demonstrated something else which we have really worked to develop: team spirit and togetherness," said Ten Hag.

"Everyone fought to make sure we took something from last weekend's game - and I believe a point was the least we deserved - so they showed what it meant to them when the goal went in.

"It was a similar situation after the goals from Fred and Bruno against Tottenham, when everyone showed their emotion and wanted to celebrate with the supporters. There is a bond growing between these players and the stronger that bond becomes, the harder it will be for our opponents in every game.

"To continue on that path, we have to ensure we keep doing everything that has built this connection, which fundamentally is working hard for each other and trusting one another."

It does feel like Martinez is integral to that bond. We are used to celebrations after goals, but he is making them commonplace in defence as well and his appreciation for teammates who have been working hard was obvious again at the final whistle on Sunday.

READ NEXT:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.