Roy Keane has described Lisandro Martinez as a player with "character" after his superb display against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night.
World Cup winner Martinez, 25, helped Manchester United win 3-0 at the City Ground. Goals from Marcus Rashford, Wout Weghorst and Bruno Fernandes have given Erik ten Hag's side a big lead heading into the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.
Keane's assessment of Martinez comes after Raimond van der Gouw compared the two players when speaking to Man Utd's website. The former United goalkeeper believes Martinez is a "character" who wants to "work", "fight" and "win" - just like ex-captain Keane did all those years ago. And the pundit agrees.
"Obviously the manager has worked with him [Martinez] so we talk about that character, that desire, we’ve seen already the benefits of having that at the club over the last few months," former United and Forest midfielder Keane told Sky Sports at full-time.
"He wants to defend and he looks the right character - the kind of lad you want to be in the trenches with. We saw tonight United got a goal towards the end but he still wants to defend. It’s important to score the three goals but from a defender’s point of view he’ll be delighted with a clean sheet."
Ten Hag signed Martinez in a £57million deal from former club Ajax last July. The Argentina international boasted a good record in the Netherlands. He won four trophies at Ajax - including two Eredivisie titles - and is the club's reigning Player of the Year.
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The transfer was criticised due to Martinez's height. Standing at 5ft 9in, he is the smallest centre-back in the Premier League. Yet Martinez has silenced his doubters by putting in a series of outstanding performances and keeping Harry Maguire out of the team.
Martinez's display against Forest has only added to his growing legend. Keane continued: "Excellent player, comes across as a really good character, gives them good balance.
"We talk about modern defenders and how good they have to be on the ball, but he looks as if his priority is defending. When he does get on the ball he’s neat and tidy as we’ve seen, he can see a pass, but he’s got pride in his defending which is great to see.
"Because again, a lot of the time with modern defenders it’s about what they do in possession, but he wants to defend and he’s got real pride in it."
