Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez came under fire from Gary Neville after Argentina's chaotic 3-2 victory over Egypt in the World Cup round of 16 in Atlanta. Neville described Martinez and his defensive partner Cristian Romero as the best 'worst centre-halves' in the world, highlighting their tendency to concede goals while also contributing at the other end.
Martinez's Mixed World Cup Performances
Just four days earlier, Martinez had been praised for his performance against Cape Verde, where he delivered at both ends of the pitch to secure Argentina's place in the knockout stages. However, against Egypt, he was at fault for both goals conceded. He was easily beaten in the air for Yasser Ibrahim's opener and then lost sight of Mostafa Ziko, who doubled Egypt's lead.
Romero reduced the deficit with 11 minutes remaining, and Argentina eventually scraped through, but Neville's criticism was sharp. 'You watch them, they give goals away constantly. But they don't care because they'll score at the other end,' Neville told ITV Sport. 'They have massive personalities and they keep going.'
The Problem with Two Gung-Ho Defenders
While Martinez's passionate style has made him a fan favourite at Old Trafford, Neville argues that this approach is not sustainable over a 38-game Premier League season. 'You cannot go a full season with two centre-backs like that. You leave yourself too prone to attacks and you simply cannot win every match 3-2,' the article notes.
Martinez's best performances have come when he channels his aggression effectively, such as against Cape Verde or when he proved critics wrong against Manchester City last season. But the gung-ho approach has a time and a place, and a marathon league campaign is not it.
Finding the Right Balance
The article suggests that Martinez can still have a place at United, particularly when partnered with a calmer defender like Harry Maguire, who provides a 'yin to his yang.' However, the worry is that beyond next season, Martinez may become the experienced head in defence, with questions over Matthijs de Ligt's recovery from a back injury.
Having a player like Martinez in the squad is valuable, as he has shown with impressive defensive displays. But knowing when to be calm and provide a clear head at the back to keep a clean sheet is equally important. 'That's the Martinez United need next season, and if he can find that balance, which he managed against Cape Verde, the Reds will benefit,' the article concludes.
