Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand snubbed Lisandro Martinez for a rival Premier League defender who “could potentially be [a] top” player in the world.
Martinez has been hailed for his impact after his sensational £57m transfer from Ajax in 2022 and has established himself as a commanding presence in United’s backline.
The 25-year-old Argentine defender was reunited with ex-Ajax boss Erik ten Hag and struck up a formidable partnership with Raphael Varane in his debut United season.
Ferdinand was in awe at Martinez’s influence last season, with the former United defender previously saying the player is “dominant” and is “there in big moments.”
However, the TNT Sports pundit didn’t choose Martinez as his first-choice pick when compared with Arsenal defender William Saliba.
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Ferdinand on Martinez vs Saliba
Saliba, much like Martinez, has been widely praised for his impact in the Premier League after the French centre-back became a crucial defensive figure for Arsenal.
The 22-year-old defender was signed by former Arsenal manager Unai Emery in 2019 for £27m from French side Saint-Etienne.
But Saliba was loaned back to Saint-Etienne for the 2019-20 campaign before spending subsequent spells at French sides Nice and Marseille.
According to the Metro, Ferdinand was asked who he would pick out of Martinez and Saliba in a direct comparison and the United legend opted for the Gunners defender.
Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “I’ll go Saliba. I think Saliba could potentially be top, top, top.
“I think Martinez answered a lot of critics last year, a lot of doubters about his size and stuff like that, fantastic on the ball.
“But like this one [the comparison], I think also you’re helped by the team you play in. He’s in a very solid, consistent team, Saliba. Martinez isn’t.”
United to miss Martinez
Ten Hag was dealt a major blow after it emerged that Martinez would be ruled out of action for an “extended period due to an aggravation” of a previous injury.
Martinez had suffered a foot injury back in April and United confirmed that the Argentina international “experienced [another] setback” in the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal.
The United centre-back did play in the subsequent defeats to Brighton and Bayern Munich, but Martinez will now be sidelined as he recovers from his injury.
United manager Ten Hag confirmed ahead of the Galatasaray clash that former Ajax star Martinez underwent further surgery in a bid to fix his metatarsal injury.
“That’s really sad, disappointing news. He has to go through the same process and I’m really sorry for him,” he told MUTV (via Manchester United’s official website).
“The squad will miss him. As you know, we have more injuries, so we always have to deal with it as a squad. As a club, we have to deal with injuries.
“He has to be strong. He will fight back, I’m sure. He is a character.
“There is still a long season ahead and he will be fit. We have to do our job, to get ourselves in the right position, so he can contribute, and add quality, when he returns.”
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