Manchester United laboured past Rangers to leave themselves in a strong position in the Europa League, grinding out a 2-1 win which went uncomfortably close to the wire.
United looked to have blown yet another lead in Europe, but an unstoppable Bruno Fernandes winner in the 92nd minute broke Rangers’ hearts and set the Red Devils on course for automatic progression in the competition.
It was an emphatic finish and the United captain will take the plaudits, but Lisandro Martinez was the man who pinged the perfect pass to the Portuguese, and he had an immense game in every department.
In addition to his crucial assist, the Argentinian defender led from the back, finding his man with 75 of the 80 passes he attempted for an overall 94% accuracy – of his fellow starters, only Toby Collyer could match that figure.
Continuing his exploits in the attacking third, Martinez came close to opening the scoring with a thumping shot on target in the first half.
But in his more familiar role on the left side of Ruben Amorim’s preferred back three, Martinez looked back to his best.
No player recorded more than his four interceptions, and he also chipped in with one clearance to frustrate a persistent Rangers threat.
And while he didn’t contest many duels, the single aerial duel and single ground duel that he did go for were both won, for a 100% success rate.
Martinez continues to be a key man in Amorim’s system, making a huge 91 touches as he was tidy at the back and progressive with the ball; only Bruno Fernandes (98) took more.
The fierce centre-back has blown hot and cold this season after comprehensively bossing the backline last season.
He found himself on the bench for only the second time this campaign in United’s last match, a chastening 3-1 defeat at home to Brighton and Hove Albion.
But with Leny Yoro seeming to limp off the pitch, Martinez is surely nailed on to bounce straight back into Amorim’s Premier League starting XI on Sunday against Fulham.
All stats taken from sofascore.
Featured image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images
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Joe Ponting
Joe has spent more than half his life writing about football and all of it following United. As a child he told a doctor his name was ‘Paul Scholes’, but could never pick a pass like him no matter how much he tried.
