Manchester United fans wasted no time in sending out a clear-cut message about Lisandro Martinez after the Argentina defender’s performance against Ecuador.
Lisandro Martinez and Manchester United teammate Alejandro Garnacho have been away on international duty this summer for the 2024 Copa America.
The 26-year-old Argentine centre-back’s season at Old Trafford was curtailed due to injuries, with Martinez being a pivotal defensive figure under manager Erik ten Hag.
Martinez showed the real impact he can have in the United backline in the 2023-24 campaign, including his stunning performance in the FA Cup final in May.
The United defender has emerged as a key defensive figure for Argentina during La Albiceleste’s Copa America title defence in the United States.
Martinez has played in three of Argentina’s four matches at this summer’s Copa America, with the United star impressing in the backline for his country.
He earned widespread praise for his performance in the Group A opener against Canada before producing another stunning display in the 1-0 win against Chile.
Martinez shines for Argentina vs Ecuador
Lisandro Martinez was left on the bench for the final Group A match against Peru after Argentina had already secured qualification to the knockout stages.
But Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni wasted no time in recalling the former Ajax star to the starting XI for the quarter-final clash against Ecuador on Friday.
Martinez linked up with Tottenham defender Cristian Romero in the heart of defence for the last eight and produced another superb display for Lionel Scaloni’s men.
The 2022 World Cup winner fired his side into a first-half lead with a close-range header, with Martinez finding the back of the net for the first time for Argentina.
Martinez played 78 minutes for the 2021 Copa America champions before Scaloni withdrew him and replaced him with Tottenham player Giovani Lo Celso.
However, Kevin Rodriguez stunned Argentina in injury time after he cancelled out Martinez’s opener and produced an equaliser for Ecuador.
Argentina played out extra time against Ecuador before beating their opponents on penalties at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi missed the opening spot-kick for his country, but Julian Alvarez, Alexis Mac Allister, Gonzalo Montiel and Nicolas Otamendi all scored.
The defending World Cup champions defeated Ecuador 4-2 on penalties, with Angel Mena and Alan Minda seeing their penalties denied by Emi Martinez.
Man Utd fans react to Martinez vs Ecuador
United fans on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, made their stance clear on Martinez after his most recent performance for Argentina.
Red Devils supporters believe that the Argentina international has proven that he is among the top five defenders in the world.
Other United fans were bold enough to suggest that Martinez could be up there as the best centre-back in the world after an impressive Copa America so far.
“Lisandro Martinez… what a player. Getting me excited for next season even more,” one fan said.
Someone else commented: “Lisandro Martinez is him [sic], genuinely one of the best central defenders in the game.”
“This is the same Licha who we’re going to team up with Matthijs de Ligt, y’all don’t understand how insane that will be,” another added.
A fourth wrote: “On another note, Lisandro Martinez is a top five defender ITW [in the world].”
While a fifth tweeted: “If you are a Man United fan and you ain’t watching [the] Copa America, you are seriously missing out on Lisandro Martinez’s super performance. We have the best centre-back in the whole world.”
“Rival fans hate Lisandro Martinez, but he’s easily top five CBs in the world,” somebody else argued.
Another posted: “Lisandro Martinez scored for Argentina today. Pep Guardiola was beaten by [Man United] and then he was praising Lisandro. Pep was right.”
And an eighth fan said: “Lisandro Martinez is genuinely in the top five CB bracket in the world. He’s so good.”
