Roy Keane on how Lisandro Martinez is a step above ‘modern defenders’

Robert Redmond

“He wants to defend, he’s got real pride in it.”

Roy Keane has praised Manchester United star Lisandro Martinez and explained how he is different to other modern defenders.

The Red Devils beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 at the City Ground on Wednesday night. Marcus Rashford, Wout Weghorst and Bruno Fernandes scored the goals for Erik ten Hag’s team, but Martinez was named man of the match for his performance.

Keane has said that the Argentinian defender stands out because of his willingness to embrace the defensive side of the game, a noted difference from other ‘modern defenders.’

Roy Keane: Lisandro Martinez is a step above ‘modern defenders.’

“He can deal with the ball, he’s very good, as we’ve seen,” Keane said on Sky Sports.

“Neat and tidy, can see a pass. But he’s got pride in his defending, which is great to see because a lot of the modern defenders now, it’s about what they do in possession – he wants to defend, he’s got real pride in it.”

Kene also noted that Martinez brings balance to Ten Hag’s team as he’s a left-footed central defender.

“You need that balance, it really is important,” the Irishman said.

“I think it’s been… Harry Maguire when he’s been playing on the left-hand side, he’s right-footed, it’s very, very difficult.

“And obviously, the manager has worked with him, 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.

“He wants to defend. And again, he looks a right character, a lad you want to be in trenches with, we saw it tonight, United were coasting towards the end, but he still wanted to defend and we talk about the importance of scoring the three goals, but for the defender’s point of view, they’ll be delighted with a clean sheet.

“You’ve seen his character and his desire, he wants to defend. He’s the kind of person you want to be in the trenches with. From a defender’s point of view, they’ll be delighted with a clean sheet.”

🗣 "He's got pride in his defending. He's a lad you want to be in the trenches with."

Roy Keane is a big fan of the way Lisandro Martínez conducts himself as a defender pic.twitter.com/9d0TLittHB

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) January 25, 2023