How Lisandro Martinez has improved "slow motion" Man United, as defender named most important signing

Former Manchester United defender Paul Parker has sung the praises of Lisandro Martinez following his signing from Ajax in the summer.

The 24-year-old was a vital cog of Erik ten Hag's title winning team in the Eredivisie last term and looks to be an important player for him at Old Trafford.

Martinez has started every game so far this season and excelled in Premier League wins against Liverpool and Southampton. He also was solid in United's second clean sheet of the campaign against Leicester City.

He has taken the left centre-back position and looks to be making an impressive relationship with Frenchman Raphael Varane.

Parker believes that the Argentine has been United's best piece of business in a transfer window that saw them sign six different players.

It’s been the best transfer window since Sir Alex Ferguson resigned," Parker detailed.

Lisandro Martinez against Leicester City (Man Utd)

"Well, you have to go with Martinez (as the most important signing) really,

"Martinez has been very, very good for Manchester United so far."

The new defender has added a steel and determination out of possession that has become infectious among his backline.

But, also, he has brought a comfortability whilst in possession and his ability to quickly play passes has allowed United to turn defence into attack much quicker than last season.

"It’s been poor. Everything going forward has been poor for that side. The build-up play has been elongated," explained Parker.

"Everything was just like, everything was in slow motion,

"You know it was going to happen but the question was always, when was it going to happen?

"Now, with Martinez, as a team going forward, they break forward quicker. He can see a pass quicker,

"He can deliver the pass because he’s actually got a natural left foot,

"And he has proven that, that’s the difference, that the ball is getting into midfield or hitting the front line a lot quicker."

It's fair to say that Martinez has been doing all of this whilst the game plan is still developing around the squad too.

Ten Hag has strayed away from the football that he wants to play due to limitations, particularly in goal and in central midfield.

With Casemiro coming in and Martin Dubravka adding pressure to David de Gea to adapt, however, we will hopefully see United return to the way that the manager originally wanted to play soon.

This will see Martinez play a much larger role in possession, and we will be able to see what he offers to the max whilst in a ball-playing outfit.