After the humiliating defeat to Brentford, it was hard to see how Manchester United players could pick themselves up but two weeks later they have six points and sit eighth in the table.
Following last Monday’s 2-1 win over Liverpool, Lisandro Martinez earned the plaudits of many analysts for his steely performance. Some caveated this with the argument that Southampton would be a different aerial test.
However, he put in another classy display to help earn United ’s first clean sheet of the season in Saturday’s 1-0 win. As a consequence, there’s little talk of his height being an issue now.
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Following the Liverpool triumph, he was named in Garth Crooks’ BBC team of the week and he has retained his place again this time around. “ Martinez makes my selection for the second time in a week after a performance against Southampton that was totally authoritative,” the former Tottenham player said.
“The Argentine centre-back seemed to take total responsibility against the Saints, allowing the rest of the back four to get on with their jobs. Raphael Varane was good but Martinez was better. I have no idea where that leaves Harry Maguire.”
Meanwhile, Bruno Fernandes also got the nod from Crooks. He hit the winner against Southampton and looked the most lively among an uninspiring attack on the day.
Explaining his decision to include him in his XI, Crooks outlined: “By the time Fernandes had finished his post-match interview, no-one seemed remotely concerned about the so-called crisis facing United after their defeats by Brighton and Brentford.
“The Portugal international was perfectly entitled to express his delight in front of the cameras after securing all three points at Southampton via one of his classic finishes.
"The Manchester United team captain said these were the standards the club had to maintain. He's right of course - the question is: Can they?”
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