Manchester United fans made their feelings perfectly clear on Lisandro Martinez after the Argentina star’s superb performance against Canada at the 2024 Copa America on Friday.
Lisandro Martinez has been a key defensive figure for Manchester United after he was signed for an initial £48.3m from Dutch side Ajax in 2022.
The 26-year-old Argentine defender was reunited with United boss Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford, having worked under the Dutchman during his time at Ajax.
United sorely missed the influence of Martinez in the 2023-24 season after the former Ajax star’s first-team appearances were limited due to injuries.
Martinez managed only 11 Premier League appearances last season, with the United defender starting in eight league matches under Erik ten Hag.
However, the United star showed his transformative impact on the Red Devils backline during the final match of the 2023-24 season for Ten Hag’s men.
Martinez partnered alongside Raphael Varane, who will leave Old Trafford this summer, and they impressed in United’s FA Cup final win against Manchester City.
Martinez stars for Argentina vs Canada
Manchester United centre-back Lisandro Martinez received his Argentina debut under manager Lionel Scaloni in 2019 and has made 18 appearances for his country.
Martinez secured regular playing time for Argentina during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with Lionel Scaloni’s men beating France in the final on penalties.
The 2022 World Cup winner also made one appearance during Argentina’s 2021 Copa America triumph, with Martinez playing the full 90 minutes against Bolivia.
Argentina boss Scaloni turned to Martinez for the first match of the World Cup champions’ Copa America title defence on Friday against Canada.
Martinez started alongside Tottenham defender Cristian Romero and played the full 90 minutes for his country’s Group A clash in the Copa America.
Goals from Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez and Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi in the second half sealed all three points for Argentina.
Man Utd fans react to Martinez vs Canada
United fans on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, praised Martinez for his superb performance for defending Copa America champions Argentina.
Red Devils supporters were thrilled that the Argentina international secured regular minutes and are hopeful that Martinez can stay ‘injury-free’ for United next season.
Other United fans, on the other hand, doubled down on Martinez’s ball-playing ability and called him the best in the world for this attribute.
Red Devils supporters were left in awe at how Martinez effortlessly spun himself away from Canada’s Jonathan David pressing him in the first half of the match.
“Lisandro Martinez remains the best ball-playing defender,” one fan said.
Someone else added: “It was a genius move for Ten Hag to convert Lisandro Martinez into a defender.”
A third tweeted: “We wouldn’t have been so awful in our defence last summer if Martinez wasn’t injured.”
“He’s gaining form with every game and will be in prime condition for the start of next season,” another posted.
Someone else commented: “Genuinely [there is] no point in pressing him.”
While a sixth wrote: “That’s his trademark move [his spin on Jonathan David]. Did that exact turn in FA Cup final.”
“Need him healthy for next season, man,” a seventh tweeted.
And another simply said: “He is the Xavi of the defensive line.”