Manchester United fans had some apprehension heading into the weekend game against Liverpool, and the final 0-3 scoreline underlined why.
Yet one of the reasons for positivity heading into kick-off, was the brand new partnership between Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt, with the Dutchman picked to start in the Premier League for the first time.
For 35 minutes the pair looked composed, offering hope they can be the club’s next top duo in defence. And they could be – but such a proclamation will have to wait.
Casemiro’s double-error in the first half put United’s defence on the back foot, and none of the starters came out with any real credit from the game after that.
Matthijs de Ligt criticised
MUTV pundit Sammy McIlroy praised Matthijs de Ligt’s performance, commenting at full-time that he liked what he saw from the Dutchman.
De Ligt was booked midway through the second half for a late challenge, and was substituted for Harry Maguire.
Dutch pundit and former international Willem van Hanegem told the Algemeen Dagblad that he was unimpressed with De Ligt.
Van Hanegem said: “During the break I heard the analysts say that Matthijs de Ligt was so good.
“I saw a kind of kamikaze pilot who flies in so that it is a matter of time before he seriously injures someone, or does something to himself in those reckless duels.
“When in possession of the ball he simply slid the balls over the sideline or into the feet of a Liverpool player.”
Lisandro Martinez blasted
Van Hanegem also put Lisandro Martinez on blast, who managed to upset United fans after posing with Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister while on international duty.
His criticism was focused on the game itself, commenting: “I used to think Lisandro Martínez was pretty good, just like De Ligt, but he does exactly the same things wrong.
“And then suddenly kick someone at 0-2 or 0-3, like: ‘look at me giving an answer’.”
He admitted United have plenty of other problems beyond the centre-backs.
“Casemiro was a disaster, which cost the team two goals, and that young Kobbie Mainoo is drowning now too. And they also spent a lot of money in recent years and again this summer’.”
- READ MORE: Who is Lisandro Martinez? Step inside the life of Manchester United’s tenacious Argentine
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