It was somewhat typical of Manchester United to produce one of their best performances of the season so far against the backdrop of another defeat.
Up until Marcus Rashford’s 42nd-minute dismissal at the Parken Stadium, United were cruising, already 2-0 up thanks to a Rasmus Hojlund double. However, FC Copenhagen came roaring back, making it 2-2, 3-3 and then 4-3, leaving United’s hopes of reaching the last-16 of the Champions League hanging by a thread.
The Reds have lost three of their opening four group games, meaning they, realistically, must win their two remaining matches to advance to the knockout stages. If not, their European adventure could be over before Christmas.
But if they do manage to turn their fortunes around and progress to the last-16, manager Erik ten Hag will be hoping United will have ironed out their problems and shaken off the worst of their injury crisis by the time those fixtures arrive. The Dutchman, in his defence, has had absolutely no luck with injuries so far this season, losing one key player after another.
The likes of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Casemiro and Hojlund, to name just a few, have all been unavailable at various junctures already this season. But have any of them been missed as dearly as Lisandro Martinez?
The Argentine has recently required a second round of surgery on a metatarsal fracture he sustained back in April, meaning he may not play again before the end of the year. He last featured when United were beaten 4-3 by Bayern Munich on September 20.
Though United had hardly been blistering and faultless at the start of the season, he has been sorely missed over the duration of almost the last two months. He was virtually an ever-present figure in the Reds’ defence last season prior to suffering his metatarsal fracture, enjoying an excellent debut campaign after his arrival from Ajax in July 2022.
After what was initially a shaky start to life in England, the passion-filled Argentine soon adapted to the demands of English football. He was a stalwart figure, and Ten Hag’s decision to add him to United’s ranks was fully justified in next to no time. Had he stayed fit for the full season, he would have been a leading contender to make the Team of the Season.
As well as making a significant contribution to the Reds’ tally of 28 clean sheets in all competitions last season, Martinez also established himself as a key part of Ten Hag’s vision, in terms of being central to the way he wanted United to play. Right from the outset of his tenure, Ten Hag wanted United to control matches and dictate proceedings.
Though those responsibilities usually fall to a midfielder, Martinez was vitally important in making that possible. Renowned as one of the best ball-playing centre-backs in the business, the Argentine often brought the ball out from the back and contributed to the defensive build-up.
He picked passes, broke the lines and instigated United attacks from deep. He was key in helping Ten Hag implement his philosophy and preferred style of play.
As a result of him being so good on the ball, United’s attackers took up more fruitful positions, in the sense that Martinez moved into midfield and filled spaces that had been vacated while the Reds had possession of the ball. United advanced the ball with style and a sense of swagger, and the former Ajax was key to that.
United, by and large, have failed to do that this season, certainly since Martinez has been absent. They have failed to control matches as comfortably, often mixing up their style, either by going long or relying on their wide players to try and create chances when nothing has been on.
That highlights just how influential Martinez has been in enabling Ten Hag to deploy his preferred system and style of play. For example, United prepared for this season, for the most part, by operating with a midfield trio of Bruno Fernandes, Mount and Casemiro in pre-season.
Mount, though he was signed with a view to being an upgrade on Christian Eriksen in the No.8 berth, would have been eager to get forward as much as he could in support of Fernandes. That would have left a gap that Martinez may have moved into when United had possession, such is his quality on the ball.
In that sense, Martinez has been missed more than you could ever imagine. It is, therefore, hardly surprising that more and more questions about United’s style of play have been raised over the last few weeks.
The sooner he is back, the better.