Graeme Souness has admitted that he thought Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez was going to be “exposed” this season.
Martinez was one of United’s marquee signings during last summer’s transfer window. Arsenal were also linked with him but he joined Man Utd for a fee of around £56m.
A few pundits questioned United’s decision to sign Martinez, with Jamie Carragher among those arguing that the Argentinian does not have the build needed to cope with the demands of the Premier League.
The World Cup winner has managed to silence all of his doubters, though. He has been in sensational form and he has formed an excellent partnership with Raphael Varane.
Souness also doubted Martinez, as he thought that the defender would be “exposed” in a Man Utd shirt.
“I think Lisandro Martinez is one of those players who, if you’re playing against him, would annoy the life out of you,” Souness told the Daily Mail.
“He’s a feisty so-and-so isn’t he? The phrase ‘argue in an empty house’ comes to mind! He’d have an argument with himself, looking in the mirror! But team-mates react to that.
“I thought he would be exposed when he arrived at United, because of his size and relative lack of pace. I have to hold my hands up, there. But he obviously has a real football brain and that ‘lead from the front’ mentality.
“You can see it in him. Everyone on the pitch, he wants to have an argument with. I love to see that.
“Casemiro’s got a bit of it in him, too. They’re the ones who can carry the flag. And then, behind them, you’ve got others suddenly ready to stand up and be counted.
“I like the way Erik ten Hag has reinstated discipline. These are the kinds of qualities I always remember when we went up against Manchester United.”
Martinez will be looking to keep out the likes of Mo Salah and Darwin Nunez this weekend when Man Utd travel to face Liverpool at Anfield.
Ahead of this game, Souness has suggested that Liverpool are still “capable of finishing in the top four”.
“Liverpool are ten points behind United but still have 45 points to play for and I still think they’re capable of finishing in the top four,” Souness added.
“United’s supporters in the last decade have been fantastic for a team who have not performed for them and it will be exactly the same for the Liverpool supporters, now.
“This is the biggest game in British football and they will make the atmosphere red hot for United. As always, it’s going to be a fascinating a prospect.”
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