Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has hailed Lisandro Martinez as the best Premier League defender “on form right now” after his stunning impact at Old Trafford.
Martinez arrived at United last summer and was reunited with Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag after his sensational £57m move from Ajax.
However, the 25-year-old former Ajax star initially faced criticism on his size and physicality, as well as if he would be able to hold his own in the Premier League.
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Martinez has since defied his critics and been praised for his presence in the United defence, with the Argentine even starting ahead of club captain Harry Maguire.
The United defender, who lifted the 2022 World Cup with Argentina in Qatar, has struck up a formidable centre-back partnership with Raphael Varane.
Ferdinand highlighted the different qualities he admired in Martinez, including his leadership skills and dominant and aggressive approach on the pitch.
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Speaking on his Vibe With FIVE podcast, he said: “On form right now, I don’t think there’s really much argument coming from anywhere else.
“I think he’s dominant, he’s aggressive, he’s a leader, he communicates well, he shows character, he’s there in big moments.”
Ferdinand admitted that he initially questioned if Martinez, who is roughly 5ft 7in, would be able to handle tough opposition if he were to be isolated on his own.
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The former United and England defender praised ex-Ajax boss Ten Hag’s tactics in preventing a centre-back like Martinez from being isolated.
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“But I was one of the ones questioning, ‘Is he physically gonna be able to compete here if teams isolate him?’ Ferdinand added.
“And that’s where Erik ten Hag has been confident in tactically being able to keep teams away from being able to dominate enough possession to isolate someone like Martinez.
“And, up till now, he hasn’t been exposed in that sense. On a regular basis, week after week, are we not sitting there going, ‘That’s a recurring problem, there. It continues to happen, someone’s pulling out on him and jumping over him or bullying him physically.’
“We haven’t seen that, that hasn’t become the narrative, and you have to say well done to him but also well done to the recruitment up to now.”
Featured Image Credit: Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE/AlamyTopics: Rio Ferdinand, Lisandro Martinez, Manchester United, Premier League, England, Football