100% tackles, 100% aerials won: £57m Man Utd star shines on Int'l duty, he's poised to start vs Tottenham
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez delivered a solid performance during Argentina’s thumping 4-0 win over Bolivia in a friendly yesterday.
The 28-year-old has been a key player for club and country, and he played 81 minutes for Argentina in their recent encounter against Bolivia on home turf.
Martinez had a comfortable evening as Bolivia managed just one shot on target. He completed an impressive 72 passes with a passing accuracy of 90 percent.
The centre-back also won 100 percent of his aerials (3/3) and tackles (2/2) with two recoveries.
Shortly after the game, popular Argentine outlet TyC Sports gave a 6/10 rating to Martinez.
He was praised for his positioning and for providing good support to debutant left-back Roman Vega.
They wrote: “Like his defensive partner, it was a match without too much work. Lisandro was well-positioned both in his own half and the opposition’s, attentive to supporting the debutant Vega, as well as initiating plays down his side of the field.”
Argentina’s next friendly will be against Burkina Faso in Buenos Aires before hosting Benin, which will be Lionel Messi’s final international game of his illustrious career.
The majority of the 2022 World Cup-winning squad are expected to feature. Hence, we can expect Martinez to be rested for the next match before facing Benin.
From United’s point of view, they will hope their £57 million signing plays just an hour of Messi’s farewell game and returns to the club without any fitness issues to worry about.
The Red Devils have had a tough start to the league season with five points from as many matches. The upcoming clash against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford is a must-win.
Spurs have shown a clear lack of chemistry in the starting XI after several signings this summer.
United should be favourites to return to winning ways in the league despite Spurs holding the upper hand on the head-to-head recently with five wins, three draws and just one defeat.
Martinez looks poised to line up in United’s defence alongside Harry Maguire, Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw.
He is an undisputed starter in the left centre-back role when fully fit, and the Argentine has the chance to help United end their three-match winless league streak on October 10.
Stats from Sofascore.com
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Article written by Sri Aswin .
