Lisandro Martinez does not rank within Manchester United’s top four most important players, according to Gary Neville, who included David de Gea in his list.
A number of stars have excelled under Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford this season, all of whom played a role in the club’s Carabao Cup success. Casemiro has wowed supporters since his arrival while Marcus Rashford’s transformation has enthused onlookers.
Neville unsurprisingly named both stars in his top-four list but did not include summer signing Martinez. The World Cup winner has proven doubters wrong since his arrival, with his clever and passionate performances endearing him to the United faithful.
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However, Neville believes De Gea - out of contract this summer - is more of a key player. The 32-year-old goalkeeper, left out of Spain’s World Cup squad, is expected to sign a renewal at the end of the season.
The 2013 title-winning hero is another player revived under Ten Hag having made a number of crucial stops this season, including in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final. Neville included one other United starter in his selection, admitting his astonishment of the turnaround of some stars given their levels last season.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “In order I’d go Casemiro, Rashford, I’d go De Gea and Varane in equal third at this moment in time. I can’t believe I’m saying that Varane, De Gea and Rashford have sort of elevated themselves into a position whereby you feel they’re in great form.
“Without them you saw last night [3-1 FA Cup win vs West Ham] obviously that De Gea makes saves, Rashford has to come on, Casemiro has to come on. Varane didn’t come on but I do feel like he’s the most important centre-back now particularly in the big matches and that’s why he gets rested for the bigger games.
“Obviously he has injury problems sometimes and has done in the last two or three years but Casemiro, followed closely by Rashford and then I’d go Varane and De Gea in third.”
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