Patrice Evra and Ian Wright in agreement over ‘quality’ Man Utd signing

Two former players have been raving about Manchester United’s summer signing of Lisandro Martinez.

United spent big to land the centre-back during the summer transfer window, with Erik ten Hag setting aside more than £56million of his budget to ensure a reunion with his former Ajax player. Martinez did not get off to an ideal start, drawing criticism and concern over his height following a disastrous performance at Brentford, in particular.

But since then, the Argentine - who is also impressing at this winter’s World Cup - has gone from strength to strength, showing himself to be one of the most impressive summer signings at Old trafford. United look to have found a gem at the heart of their defence, and former defender Patrice Evra is delighted.

“This is one of the best signings we’ve had for years at Manchester United,” Evra said on the Vibe with Five YouTube channel. “It’s because of his fighting spirit. That’s what United fans want to see – those players have to bleed for the shirt.

“People were talking about his height and I was laughing. Some people said I was too small when I arrived in the Premier League as well. When you play with that heart and passion, size doesn’t matter. When he gets the ball, he is so clean and composed. Mexico were pressing everywhere [in the World Cup Group C game] but every time he got the ball he was calm and playing forward. That’s what I love.

“He doesn’t play those one-metre balls to the next player. This is easy. When I see those stats – I remember Mertesacker at Arsenal, the stats said he never lost the ball – but he was passing it one metre, I can do that every day.

“But Martinez puts the ball through the lines like Michael Carrick.That’s what he does and I love that. What a player, what a player.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal legend and Match of the Day pundit Ian Wright has also praised Martinez, telling Premier League Productions: “He’s got defensive quality that I haven’t seen at Manchester United for a while. Not only his positioning but he passes the ball through the lines. He’s exactly what they’ve needed.

“Someone that doesn’t mess about, there’s no thrills with him, it’s just bang, good challenges. He’s been a really, really good signing. I didn’t think he was going to be as good as he’s been.”