Rio Ferdinand has praised Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United as the Premier League’s most effective central defender.
Since his summer transfer from Ajax, the Argentine international, who assisted his country in winning the World Cup in December, has been a notable arrival at Old Trafford.
He has replaced club captain Harry Maguire in the starting lineup and teamed up with Raphael Varane to establish a fearsome pairing.
In United’s three-goal EFL Cup victory over Nottingham Forest in the first leg of the semifinal, Martinez was teamed by Victor Lindelof, and the Argentine remarked after the game that the Sweden international also suited him aesthetically as a defensive partner.
The United supporters have embraced the versatile defender right away, routinely screaming in praise of his efforts at Old Trafford.
Martinez has established himself as the captain of Erik ten Hag’s revamped team’s defense.
The Argentine has consistently been one of the first names on the teamsheet throughout the campaign, justifying his inclusion with a string of impressive performances.
This is despite fierce competition for central defensive starting spots at the club with Varane, Maguire, and Lindelof.
Ferdinand has now lauded his efforts, praising his performances throughout the season and adding that his caliber of play meant that United’s hiring staff also deserved accolades for bringing him in from Ajax.
When asked if the Argentine was the league’s top center back, Ferdinand responded, “On form right now, I don’t think there’s really much argument coming from anywhere else.
I think he’s dominant, he’s aggressive, he’s a leader, he communicates well, he shows character, and he’s there in big moments. But I was one of those who questioned whether he would be physically able to compete here if teams isolated him.
And Erik ten Hag has faith in his tactical ability to prevent opponents from controlling enough of the ball to isolate someone like Martinez.
And he hasn’t been exposed in that manner up until now. Or we’d be sitting there regularly, week after week, saying, ‘That’s a persistent problem there?’ Someone keeps pulling away from him, jumping over him, or physically harassing him.
You must congratulate him, but also the recruitment up to this point, because we haven’t seen that and it hasn’t become the story.”
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