Man Utd's most important player - how Martínez holds Ten Hag's team together

Just when signs of optimism were emerging for Manchester United, Lisandro Martínez’s injury overshadowed the important 3-0 win over West Ham. It was the first time that United had won a league game at Old Trafford by more than one goal this season as Rasmus Højlund and Alejandro Garnacho maintained their impressive form to extend the unbeaten run to five games.

On the eve of the anniversary of the Munich air disaster, the image of three talented youngsters - Højlund, Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo - combining for an iconic celebration will have signalled hope after a dismal campaign but Martínez walking down the tunnel prematurely will be of huge concern. The Argentinian sustained a worrying knee injury in a tussle with Vladimír Coufal and had to be substituted after briefly returning to the field of play. Martínez has only recently returned from a foot injury and Erik ten Hag will pray the diagnosis isn’t too severe as it’s difficult to downplay his importance to United. 

Lisandro Martinez: Manchester United’s most important player 

Martínez is adorned at Old Trafford and he’s paramount to Ten Hag’s vision and tactical identity at United. Ten Hag’s recruitment policy since joining from Ajax has rightly been criticised but Martínez represents his best signing. After enduring a difficult start in England, with Jamie Carragher famously labelling him ‘too small’, Martínez has excelled to become one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League.

Martínez was central to Ten Hag’s successive debut season at United when Champions League football was secured and a six-year trophy drought was ended with the League Cup. Martínez sustained a metatarsal injury last season against Sevilla and he was rushed back at the start of this campaign before requiring further surgery to fix the issue. The 25-year-old’s been sorely missed by United as he’s arguably their most important player. Martínez is an excellent, ferocious defender but it’s his ability in possession that makes him integral to United’s build-up play - as noted by West Ham manager Moyes after Sunday’s encounter. “Manchester United are much better now they have Casemiro and Martínez back,” Moyes declared. “They’ve probably struggled from not having those players because they make a huge difference to the team. Casemiro headed every ball. He has the ability to get his head on things and to be in the right place. Martínez gives United a much greater degree of calmness on the ball in their build-up play. I’m not a specialist on Man United but it makes them look more comfortable.”

Manchester United: 21 different back four combinations in 33 games this season

United have been decimated by injuries this season, particularly in defence. Remarkably, Ten Hag has been forced to use 21 different back four combinations in 33 games and he’s repeatedly stressed how the constant reshuffling has negatively impacted performances and results. It’s also imperative to consider United’s inability to name a settled back four on André Onana’s adjustment to the club as there’s been no defensive stability. 

Ten Hag has only been able to name his strongest back four of Diogo Dalot, Raphaël Varane, Martínez and Luke Shaw on four occasions this season, resulting in three wins and one defeat. Ten Hag has been without Martínez, Shaw and Casemiro for the majority of the season - they’ve missed 60 games combined - and the trio are arguably United’s most important players in the build-up phase. It’s no coincidence that United produced their most controlled 45 minutes of the season in the first half against Wolves last week when all three featured. Casemiro’s role is often underappreciated as it provides flexibility as he often drops into form a back three in build-up which allows the full-backs to push-up or invert - Dalot has performed this role regularly recently. 

How Lisandro Martínez's injury could derail United's revival

The biggest concern to United will be that Martínez has suffered a serious ACL injury to leave him sidelined for a substantial period of time but there's early optimism that it could be an MCL strain. United would still miss the centre-back for around seven games but he would return this season. Ten Hag labelled the injury a “personal disaster” in his post-match interview before commenting on Martínez’s importance. He said: "I'm worried as all the fans. Everyone knows why I brought him in. He brings his winning mentality and he's a fantastic footballer. A great defender, good with the ball,very important for our game." United will be hoping for a positive diagnosis as Martínez is the catalyst for so many positive aspects of United’s recent performances. Ten Hag doesn’t have a direct replacement for him in his squad as the Argentine is his only left-footed centre-back.

Ten Hag has spoken previously about the problems with playing Varane or Harry Maguire at left centre-back with Victor Lindelöf and Jonny Evans regularly preferred on that side. Speaking in November, Ten Hag explained: “The build-up is not that fluid when one of them is playing from the left centre-back position. Because I think Licha, obviously, Luke Shaw, obviously, Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof are right-footed, but they can play really comfortably with their left and make the right angles. Then you can construct a better formation where you can start to play.” Ten Hag has been criticised, sometimes lazily, for not constructing a clear style of play but a significant factor in this has been the absence of key players to his philosophy, namely Shaw, Casemiro and Martínez. With Martínez set to spend some time on the sidelines, United’s bid to secure a top five finish could be in jeopardy.

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