Lisandro Martinez’s magnificent highlights v Liverpool show why Man Utd signed him

Lisandro Martinez produced a sensational individual performance against Liverpool on Monday night, showing exactly why Manchester United signed him from Ajax this summer.

Erik ten Hag brought the 24-year-old from his former club in a deal worth up to £57 million, per Sky Sports.

But questions were being asked about United’s big-money signing following unconvincing displays against Brighton and Brentford.

The Argentina international endured a nightmare away at Brentford on August 13. United conceded four goals inside the opening 35 minutes and Martinez was one of three players substituted by Ten Hag at half-time.

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher, speaking on Monday Night Football, said the 5ft 9in centre-back wouldn’t be able to play in a back-four in the Premier League.

“The other problem he’s got is the signing of Lisandro Martinez,” Carragher said after United’s shambolic performance at Brentford, per The Mirror. “Now, we should never judge managers or players too early, but I’m convinced this can’t work because the size of him playing in a back four. Maybe he could go left-back, maybe he could play in a back three, but in a back four, he cannot play there in the Premier League.”

But despite all the noise from pundits and rival fans, Ten Hag kept faith in Martinez, who partnered Raphael Varane at centre-back against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.

And Ten Hag was rewarded with a masterclass from the South American defender, who was arguably United’s standout performer on the night.

Man Utd fans saw for the first time why Martinez is nicknamed ‘The Butcher’. He takes no prisoners, despite his relatively diminutive stature, and is more than prepared to get stuck in or put his body on the line in order to win football matches.