Manchester United are gearing up for the second Premier League game of the season and Lisandro Martinez is already pinpointed as a key figure.
This comes after the truly dominant display the butcher put in against Fulham, leaving Adama Traore no chance in duels.
Lisandro Martinez’s impact on Manchester United is profound and without him, as we saw last season, the team just does not function.
In fact, Martinez was so impressive against Fulham that even Jamie Carragher had to accept he was wrong about the Argentine’s height and physical ability. The Liverpool legend of course was one of the pundits who embarrassingly wrote Martinez off.
Now, Martinez has been selected as a key player for United by Chris Sutton as he predicted United vs Brighton.
- READ MORE: Who is Lisandro Martinez? Step inside the life of Manchester United’s tenacious Argentine
Chris Sutton raves about Lisandro Martinez
On Thursday, Sutton shared his prediction for United against Brighton on Saturday on the BBC Sport website. In doing so, he specifically mentioned that Martinez will be key this season – as he enters his third campaign for United after a £47m move.
“Lisandro Martinez is going to be the key for them this season. I know everybody talks about attacking players, but they missed him for large parts of last season and he gives them a bit of steel at the back.”
After praising Martinez, Sutton then went on to give his prediction for the game which kicks off early on Saturday.
“Getting off to a winning start in the Premier League was important for Erik ten Hag, albeit Manchester United didn’t hit the heights they are maybe capable of.
“I predicted Brighton to lose at Everton and they won easily in the end. They like a left-field appointment and Fabian Hurzeler has made a really good start.
“It’s always important to get that first win under your belt as a new manager to get that belief that your message is getting across.”
Sutton then stated his prediction which was a 1-1 draw between the two sides who won on opening weekend.
A draw is a result Ten Hag may take beforehand, due to not having the best of luck against the Seagulls during his time in England thus far.
Can Manchester United send a statement to the Premier League?
After a hard-fought but ultimately expected win over Fulham on match-day one, United can send shockwaves through the league by beating Brighton on Saturday.
The Seagulls thrashed Everton and sit atop the Premier League on goal difference right now.
Along with this, they have been a bogey team for Erik ten Hag in his two seasons at Old Trafford, which would make a victory even sweeter.
If United play to the level we have seen – and finishes the chances created – there should be no issues with securing three points – hopefully this is what happens and the good times continue rolling at Old Trafford.
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