Manchester United are preparing for their second Premier League match of the season, with Lisandro Martinez already identified as a crucial player.
This follows Martinez’s commanding performance against Fulham, where he outperformed Adama Traore in their encounters.
Martinez’s influence on Manchester United is significant; without him, as demonstrated last season, the team’s performance falters.
In fact, Martinez’s performance against Fulham was so impressive that Jamie Carragher had to revise his earlier doubts about the Argentine’s height and physicality. Carragher had previously been one of those who underestimated Martinez.
Now, Chris Sutton has highlighted Martinez as a pivotal player for United in his preview for their match against Brighton.
On Thursday, Sutton posted his prediction for the United vs Brighton game on the BBC Sport website. He emphasized that Martinez will play a crucial role this season as he begins his third year with United following his £47m transfer.
Sutton remarked, “Lisandro Martinez will be essential for them this season. While much focus is often on attacking players, his absence last season was felt significantly, and he adds much-needed resilience at the back.”
Following his praise for Martinez, Sutton provided his forecast for the match, which is set to start early on Saturday.
Sutton noted the importance of a strong start for Erik ten Hag, though Manchester United didn’t fully reach their potential in their opening game.
He had predicted Brighton would lose to Everton, but Brighton secured a comfortable win.
Sutton commented on the significance of a successful debut for a new manager to instill confidence in their strategies.
He then predicted a 1-1 draw between United and Brighton, a result Ten Hag might accept, given his past challenges against the Seagulls during his tenure in England.
