[Hughes35]

He's brilliant. If he stays with us for the long term he will go down as a proper legend like Rio, Vidic etc.

One thing I love which is a very underrated skill is being able to play on the edge in terms of aggression but actually being ultra calm. Even when he gives a foul away aggressively, I never feel like it was rash......Just aggression (If that makes any sense?)

It's really difficult to go flying in to a tackle, shoulder to shoulder battle with a player, win the ball and then just click back to taking your time on the ball and playing out of trouble.

 

[Kostov]

Christ I doubted this guy, know he is becoming my favorite player. Love him to bits.

 

[Freak]

He's ridiculously good.

 

[georgipep]

Yeah I get that part and most teams do that. However teams with better ball playing keepers manage to distribute the ball right, to either flank or find players in space which keeps possession for the team. In our case, DeGea is awful at keeping possession and mediocre on the ball which means every time Martinez or any of our defenders pass the ball back to him and an opposition's player as much as try to head toward DeGea's direction, he automatically loses possession because he hoofs and distribute it inaccurately.

Yeah, it's painful to watch De Gea's passing, especially when you see on the opposite side someone like Ter Stegen, who is absolutely brilliant at it, with both feet.

But back to Licha's behaviour, it is justified and, in my view, the right choice. He would still hoof it himself if he didn't pass it back to De Gea. The only difference would be that the opposition structure will be more dense, thus even less chance of retaining possession or winning the second ball.

 

[next_number_seven]

In terms of agility and technical ability he's more like a midfielder, but he has tremendous physicality and strength along with the mental aspects like anticipation, reading the game, concentration.

He should really be our POTY but I suspect Rashford will win it.

 

[TsuWave]

We need to give him one of those Death Row Records contract that Chelsea seems so keen on. 15 years.

 

[Brightonian]

He's brilliant. If he stays with us for the long term he will go down as a proper legend like Rio, Vidic etc.

One thing I love which is a very underrated skill is being able to play on the edge in terms of aggression but actually being ultra calm. Even when he gives a foul away aggressively, I never feel like it was rash......Just aggression (If that makes any sense?)

It's really difficult to go flying in to a tackle, shoulder to shoulder battle with a player, win the ball and then just click back to taking your time on the ball and playing out of trouble.

This. Hugely under discussed skill. 'Aggression' is actually a misleading word because it implies an emotional quality but the players who do 'aggression' best aren't feeling it as an emotion, they're doing it as a style of play while remaining very cool and in control of their emotional state.

 

[Hughes35]

This. Hugely under discussed skill. 'Aggression' is actually a misleading word because it implies an emotional quality but the players who do 'aggression' best aren't feeling it as an emotion, they're doing it as a style of play while remaining very cool and in control of their emotional state.

Exactly. I couldn't find the wording but you summed it up by by saying it's style and not emotion.

Nicely put.

 

[Big Ray]

It’s not a stretch to compare him with the likes of Baresi or cannavaro. His intelligence and reading is just unreal plus he can pass like Scholesy. Love him to bits and how he engages with the fans after the matches.

 

[Mike Smalling]

Did anyone else notice that Lewandowski was holding his ribs a bit after the penalty, and later Martinez gave him a firm shove in that specific area? It felt like it was an intentional bit of shit-housery within the bounds of the law

 

[Chief123]

Composure 99
Aggression 99
Ball control 99
First touch 99
Acceleration 99
Balance 99
Agility 99
Tackling 99
Awareness 99
Leadership 99
Positioning 99
Passing 99

I think you’re being harsh with the ratings. He’s better than that.

 

[Chief123]

He'd be worth it if he cost 100m, the guy has barely put a foot wrong all season.

It's good that EtH didnt care about buying players he's familiar with in Antony, Martinez and Malacia.

I’d let ETH make the call on every transfer throughout his whole reign at Utd. I trust his judgement on a player than any recruitment specialist!

 

[Rolaholic]

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Love him so much

 

[Rapsel]

That was pretty much every Ajax fan, the guy is genuinely one of the best CB's in the world.

Now that we've gained their trust, shall we tell them Kudus is shite and Alvarez the perfect Casemiro understudy?

 

[FriedClams]

It’s not a stretch to compare him with the likes of Baresi or cannavaro. His intelligence and reading is just unreal plus he can pass like Scholesy. Love him to bits and how he engages with the fans after the matches.

It's a bit of a stretch. He's playing in the europa league and sitting 3rd in the table. Say stuff like this in 10 years.

 

[King Kendrick]

Now that we've gained their trust, shall we tell them Kudus is shite and Alvarez the perfect Casemiro understudy?

Chelsea want Alvarez already, you don’t have to convince us to sell him for big money

 

[Rapsel]

Chelsea want Alvarez already, you don’t have to convince us to sell him for big money

Alvarez is a bit of an odd duck. People in favor of him praise him for his Martinez like grinta and aggressiveness. People feeling little love for him will counter that with the fact that most balls he wins are balls he gave to the opponent beforehand.

 

[Rolaholic]

 

[King Kendrick]

Alvarez is a bit of an odd duck. People in favor of him praise him for his Martinez like grinta and aggressiveness. People feeling little love for him will counter that with the fact that most balls he wins are balls he gave to the opponent beforehand.

Oh I’m definitely in the latter camp, I don’t think he’s good enough in possession for teams who want to control games, although I could see why a manager like Tuchel would value him. I do think it’s telling about ETH’s thoughts on him though that we were never linked with him (at least from what I can remember from reputable sources) when we were crying for a DM.

 

[poleglass red]

His influence over the squad is evident especially on Garnacho, who seemingly has borrowed his hair dye

 

[Ekeke]

Himself and Casemiro are the key players in the defensive third for us on the ball and without the ball. And both were very good again in a game where both teams looked to win high regains.

Our new spine. I said we needed 3 new players in that spine in the summer, but those 2 have us looking pretty good for character and being tough to play against

 

[Rapsel]

Oh I’m definitely in the latter camp, I don’t think he’s good enough in possession for teams who want to control games, although I could see why a manager like Tuchel would value him. I do think it’s telling about ETH’s thoughts on him though that we were never linked with him (at least from what I can remember from reputable sources) when we were crying for a DM.

Yeah he could be of big value in the EPL but really not with the way Ajax wants to play. Martinez reminds me of a young Frank Rijkaard and also the Rijkaard that got us the 1995 CL. The perfect centre back with DM qualities that goes there when he can and needed.

 

[Solius]

Have we ever had a CB more enjoyable to watch play? Vidic defensively was very similar but Martinez is also brilliant on the ball to add to it as well.

 

[Pocho]

The best of all? It looks like he’s really happy and enjoying his time at United.

 

[FriedClams]

The best of all? It looks like he’s really happy and enjoying his time at United.

he’s a big reason why it’s so enjoyable for everyone. Players with character who impose their personality on a game… keane knows what he’s talking about.

 

[Wing Attack Plan R]

Have we ever had a CB more enjoyable to watch play? Vidic defensively was very similar but Martinez is also brilliant on the ball to add to it as well.

But... he's too short and plays in the Dutch league, he'll never make it here or adapt to the premier league.

On a serious note, how awesome is it seeing someone on the ball at the back who doesn't shit his pants every time he's closed down? His composure is incredible.

 

[King Kendrick]

Have we ever had a CB more enjoyable to watch play? Vidic defensively was very similar but Martinez is also brilliant on the ball to add to it as well.

Ridiculous that a player can make you feel so comfortable in both defensive and offensive phases. It’s a joy watching him beat defenders as they try to press him, while also having the ability to make a crunching tackle. It really is a tamed aggression that you very rarely see coupled with that composure.

 

[Solius]

Ridiculous that a player can make you feel so comfortable in both defensive and offensive phases. It’s a joy watching him beat defenders as they try to press him, while also having the ability to make a crunching tackle. It really is a tamed aggression that you very rarely see coupled with that composure.

He's what Spurs fans think Romero is.

 

[harms]

England may be the Three Lions, but United have The Lion -- Lisandro Martinez.

I'd call him a honey badger personally.

Edit: I didn't realize it at first but even his hair seem to fit!

Spoiler

 

[Jeppers7]

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Great guy

 

[harms]

Have we ever had a CB more enjoyable to watch play? Vidic defensively was very similar but Martinez is also brilliant on the ball to add to it as well.

McGrath?

 

[Tee27]

The intensity he shows just seems to rub off on the rest of the team. Absolutely love him, with him and varane you just get the feeling the defence is always in control which is a far cry for the years of shakiness we’ve had.

Then you take into account his on the ball ability too and you think what absolute monster we have.

Thank feck LVG told timber not to come

 

[AjaxCunian]

Now that we've gained their trust, shall we tell them Kudus is shite and Alvarez the perfect Casemiro understudy?

I know how you meant it but we'd need Alvarez more than Kudus. Would be a good rotation option.

 

[kouroux]

I'd prefer if he was at home in bed asleep preparing for next game

 

[Malone_Post]

I honestly think he’s the best signing we’ve made in the post Fergie era. I’m struggling to think of a defender I’ve enjoyed watching more then this guy. He’s just class in every sense of the word. I’ve run out of superlatives to describe him.

 

[IFC 1905]

He's what Spurs fans think Romero is.

Romero is a hell of a player. He's more aggresive and gets a yellow too much but I love him too.

Best thing for us argentines is that they are like brothers. In fact Romero got a tattoo about himself, Lisandro and Molina

Spoiler: pics

They are our pairing CBs for the years to come

 

[Pogue Mahone]

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Love him so much

That is an outrageously good performance. The passing is world class.

 

[Cutch]

His level of consistency is unbelievable. You get players that are solid 6s and 7s every game but this guy is faultless every single match

 

[Big Ray]

It's a bit of a stretch. He's playing in the europa league and sitting 3rd in the table. Say stuff like this in 10 years.

What a stupid reply using europa and league position as an example of why he can’t be considered great. I’ll say it now, because I can see the way he’s playing consistently every week against the best teams / strikers in Europe. He’s phenomenal and puts the best in his back pocket.

 

[Rocksy]

That is an outrageously good performance. The passing is world class.

There’s one where he takes the ball off the forward on the in the left side of box, carries the ball past him and chips the ball into midfield (Fred, I think). It’s top-class. Then there’s all the longer passes, the fizzed low balls through the lines, and the defensive work. He’s such a complete footballer.