After Manchester United took a giant stride towards the Carabao Cup final on Wednesday evening, Lisandro Martinez might want to start thinking about investing in a bigger mantlepiece.
Just three days after scoring his first United goal in Sunday's gut-wrenching 3-2 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, the Argentine scooped the Man of the Match award at the end of the Reds' 3-0 Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Grinning from ear to ear as he picked the trophy up at the end of his post-match interview with the rights holders, it was an accolade he fully merited.
Partnering Victor Lindelof, who had come into the side at the expense of Raphael Varane, who was granted a rare breather, in the heart of the defence, Martinez thrived, delivering another stalwart performance. Continuing to sport a bandage around his head, he produced another showing fuelled by energy and passion.
