Manchester United's latest defensive signings have brought a simple attribute to Erik ten Hag's side that has been sorely missed at Old Trafford in recent years.
Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia were both signed from the Eredivisie this summer as Ten Hag looks to bring additions who he knows can adapt to his style.
They have started alongside each other in United's two Premier League wins over Liverpool and Southampton and have both impressed in those games.
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It's no secret that they are both very talented on the ball, which will help the Reds in the long run as Ten Hag builds a team that is comfortable playing through the thirds.
However, there's something much more simple that United supporters have gravitated towards in the short time that the pair have been at Old Trafford.
Their passion and determination has been highlighted by many, who have not witnessed such an intense and energetic style of defending lately.
You can see that both Martinez and Malacia love defending.
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Whilst the latter is still young and raw, whenever a mistake slips out he's straight back up and trying to right his wrong with intense pressure.
It's easier to forgive mistakes as fans when there is such a drive to correct them afterwards.
Meanwhile, Martinez has settled into the back four as a leader.
The Argentine constantly praises his teammates when a block, save or something else is done to defend their goal.
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It might seem simple, but this energy is infectious and every good defensive team has it. They'll celebrate important blocks like goals and always be prepared for the next action.
Martinez's passion is clear to see. His post-match reaction to United's 2-1 win over Jurgen Klopp's men went viral as fans were loving the way he wears his heart on his sleeve.
"(Martinez's) price tag means nothing, (his) performances and character do, he’s got the character we need at the back. (We've) been missing that for years," one fan explained.
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"Mans been here a few weeks but is more passionate about the fixture than 90% of our guys. He just gets it," another tweeted.
It's clear that this trait has been missing at United for a number of years, but Martinez and Malacia seem to bring it in abundance.
Funnily enough, it isn't something that takes extreme skill to bring. It's a simple aspect that fans adore, which shows that it doesn't take too much for supporters to enjoy watching.
Winning is what Manchester United is made for, but watching a passionate team is the expectation too. If you build from there, trophies shouldn't be too far around the corner.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Manchester United, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Erik Ten Hag, Premier League, Football
