An ode to Lisandro Martinez: The defender Manchester United have been crying out for

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I knew Lisandro Martinez would be good. This good, this early? It’s safe to say he has taken everybody by surprise.

Right now there is not a single defender in world football I would swap Lisandro Martinez for. Nobody.

There is no player with the same rare combination of strength, passing ability, positioning, aggression, durability, and yes, aerial power.

Martinez performs with personality, an infectious will to win every ball which is already rubbing off on the rest of the Manchester United defence.

United have eight clean sheets this season and five in his last six. He has transformed the defensive side of United’s game.

Martinez is making his critics look silly

Too many knee jerk pundits were quick to write Martinez off after just two matches this season, after a poor start.

Their hyper-critical takes look embarrassing now, with Martinez producing consistently dominant performances on a twice-a-week basis.

It is easy to see why Martinez won Ajax’s player of the year award last season, and at an early glance, he should be the current favourite to win Manchester United’s for 22/23, even in a very competitive field.

Fans and teammates have rallied around Martinez. The catalyst was his inspiring performance in United’s victory over Liverpool in late August. He hasn’t looked back since.

Manchester United have been crying out for a defender like this ever since Nemanja Vidic left the club.

Eric Bailly’s 2016/17 season offered hope he could be ‘the guy’, but fitness struggles led to him failing to fulfil his potential.

Martinez is playing under a manager who knows how to maximise his strengths, and he is supported by a strong cast of defensive colleagues, including World Cup winner Raphael Varane.

But even in recent games with Varane absent, Martinez has kept the clean sheet record going. He was outstanding against West Ham again at the weekend.

His critics are waiting to pounce on any error he may make, and Martinez knows this. He is dealing with the pressure admirably, and raising his game.

Martinez plays on the edge, but knows how to control it and not to take a step too far. Now affectionately known as ‘The Butcher of Manchester’, Martinez is a cult hero, who already looks a bargain for United, despite the high fee paid.