The Manchester Derby is almost upon us and Sunday’s match will serve as the biggest test of Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United career thus far.
The Dutchman did not get off to the best of starts as his new club succumbed to back-to-back defeats at the hands of Brighton and Brentford.
One of the players he chose to bring in to bolster the defense, Lisandro Martinez, was criticized for not being able to deal with the imposing physical Ivan Toney.
Martinez silencing critics
Pundits like Jamie Carragher were quick to point out just how much of a mistake Ten Hag made when he chose to bring in the 5-foot-9 defender from Ajax.
The last time Erling Haaland faced Lisandro Martínez, Martínez kept a clean sheet and walked away with a 4-0 victory ???? pic.twitter.com/ygUUvneHTq
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 30, 2022
The Dutch manager was convinced the Argentine would be able to cope with the physicality of the Premier League and since the Brentford humiliation, Martinez has rarely failed to eat.
United have kept three clean sheets in six games when they have started, conceding just twice in that string of games.
But now the 24-year-old will face a fully fit Erling Haaland, who has been looting goals for fun since his arrival at Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola’s team has another dimension since the arrival of the Norwegian and has 14 goals in nine games for City and even scored against Slovenia for Norway during the international break.
United, and especially their centre-backs, will have to be at the top of their game if they want to keep Haaland quiet. Carragher has mentioned that Martinez needs to “stay away” from Haaland during Sunday’s contest.
Haaland is 6-foot-4 and not the most proficient in terms of headers scored, but he knows how to use his physicality to get past defenders, something United’s Argentinian defender will be wary of.
In fact, the last time these two players met was when Martinez was an Ajax player coached by Ten Hag while Haaland was part of Borussia Dortmund.
On that occasion, Martinez emerged victorious as Ajax decimated their German opponents 4-0 with Haaland cleverly foiled by the current United player.
Haaland vs Martinez
And City manager Guardiola came out and praised the Argentine, stating that he likes players who are initially underrated but end up silencing their critics just like Martinez.
“I like it when people underestimate players because of their size,” said the Spaniard during his pre-match press conference. “He can tell you that I am here and that I am a good player.
“He is a fantastic player, aggressive, well built. United paid this money, Erik [ten Hag] he knows him. It’s not the first time he’s played against taller strikers, he handles it. [It’s] important to be smart, brave.”
Asked specifically if the United defender would struggle against his side’s elite tall striker, Guardiola was less forthcoming.
“Erling is taller, that’s for sure. The crosses, Erling is taller, we’ll see what happens.”
It will be a great battle between the two players and United fans will hope Martinez can continue in the same way he has before the international break.
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