Lisandro Martinez is already doing exactly what we hoped he would do at Manchester United

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Lisandro Martinez has turned in back to back man of the match performances for Manchester United, showing exactly what he is all about.

Erik ten Hag threw him straight into the line-up to start the season, and while the first two matches were uncomfortable, they were what he needed to settle in.

United paid an initial £46 million to sign Martinez from Ajax, and it looks like the Red Devils have managed to strike a bargain.

Martinez was crucial in United’s win at Southampton at the weekend, securing the team’s first clean sheet since February, and first away shutout since last December.

READ MORE: Confirmed Manchester United transfers, ins, outs, loans, releases for 2022/23

Jaap Stam was right about Martinez

If there is anybody who knows what makes a good defender, then it is Jaap Stam, one of the best centre-backs to grace Old Trafford.

Stam told AD.nl earlier this summer that criticism of Martinez’s height was totally irrelevant.

The Dutchman said: “I have become a fan of his. I think he’s a fantastic guy, with a good temperament and a winning mentality. For trainers, those are great players to work with.

“What’s important is that a defender has cleverness. Quickly read where the ball goes, a little nudge or push. Then you don’t even have to get into duels. Martínez has also developed that.”

Martinez won all five of his aerial duels against Southampton, and what he is doing already, is changing the culture of United’s defence.

Last season the defence was too timid, conceding 57 Premier League goals, and the backline’s lack of aggression made them too easy for opponents to walk over.

Martinez has brought in a new kind of spirit, backed by new full-back Tyrell Malacia, the centre-back embraces the physical side of the game rather than shying away from it.

We wrote a month ago that Martinez could be a transformational signing for United, helping Erik ten Hag to change the culture of the whole United side.

We said at the time: “This deal is going to play an absolutely instrumental role in Erik ten Hag’s rebuild, showing he wants to shake up the club’s defensive options and change the playing style.”

Martinez is already shaking United up. It won’t always go as smoothly as the weekend did but it already feels like Ten Hag’s identity is being imprinted on the side.