Gary Neville told Sky Sports he felt the performances of new signings Tyrell Malacia and Lisandro Martinez were ‘unbelievable’ against Liverpool.
He wasn’t wrong. Both new signings proved exactly why Erik ten Hag was desperate to sign them for Manchester United.
Malacia was starting just his first Premier League game, tasked with going up against Mohamed Salah, while Martinez was making only his third start.
Both players were key as United won 2-1 against Liverpool, with goals from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford.
READ MORE: Confirmed Manchester United transfers, ins, outs, loans, releases for 2022/23
Tyrell Malacia and Lisandro Martinez were class
It was a bold call from Erik ten Hag to drop Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw. But it felt like the right one, and so it proved.
Both players can count themselves unlucky to miss out on clean sheets, they would have deserved one.
The whole back four were outstanding, and Martinez looks to be showing signs of building a strong partnership with Raphael Varane.
The pair are in pole position to be the club’s first choice pairing. Maguire wasn’t missed, and Ten Hag should stick with them.
Malacia was a breath of fresh air, showing aggression, closing down Liverpool’s players at every opportunity and snapping at every ball.
He also had a role in the build-up to United’s first goal, keeping possession against the Liverpool press before Anthony Elanga worked it to Jadon Sancho, who did the rest.
United paid just £13 million to sign Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord. This already looks to be a bargain.
He was Erik ten Hag’s first signing and in just his first full game, he delivered.
Malacia won six duels, made three tackles, and three ball recoveries, and also showed an added string to his bow by taking two corners.
Martinez’s attitude seemed to gee up his teammates too, high fiving Diogo Dalot after cutting out an attack, and calmly clearing a shot off the line after Bruno Fernandes almost scored an own goal.
The Argentine is tenacious, competing for every ball, quick to sense danger. He made seven clearances and blocked three shots, making four ball recoveries.
United paid a little more for Martinez. He cost £46 million, a fee which could rise with add-ons.
If he plays every game like he did last night against Liverpool, then he will be worth it, and will develop into a real fans’ favourite.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
