Luke Shaw has been delighted with the impact Lisandro Martinez has made since joining Manchester United (Picture: Getty)
Luke Shaw has hailed the impact Lisandro Martinez has made since joining Manchester United and claims he ‘loves’ playing alongside the World Cup winner.
Eyebrows were raised when Erik ten Hag sanctioned the £56.7million singing of the Argentina international who had played a key role in the Dutchman’s Eredivisie-winning Ajax sides.
Martinez endured a baptism of fire and struggled badly in the defeats against Brighton and Brentford which suggested United were set to endure another turbulent season under their new manager.
Jamie Carragher was particularly critical of the decision to deploy Martinez at the heart of a new-look defence given his lack of height, but the 25-year-old has since made a mockery of the doubters.
The former Liverpool centre-half has since admitted he got it wrong about the combative defender, while Shaw insists he could see the qualities his teammate would bring to the club from the outset.
‘I could see his qualities, feel the passion that he brings, how aggressive he is and he’s got an amazing left foot,’ Shaw said of his first impressions of Martinez.
‘With the ball he’s so composed, so good and I think a lot of football nowadays is how well the centre-back can play out. But I think, for me, he’s got everything.
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‘There was obviously a lot of question over his height at the start, which, for me, was nonsense, really. He reads the game so well. With someone that intelligent, I don’t think it matters how tall you are or not, wherever you play, as long as you read the game well.
‘For me, he does that and I love playing next to him. He’s an amazing player and still really young. He’s only going to get better and better, I think.’
Shaw also credited Ten Hag with bringing the feel-good factor back to Old Trafford as United attempt to end their six-year wait for a trophy in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.
‘I think there’s a lot more enjoyment now back in around the place – not just on the pitch but off it,’ long-serving United left-back told the PA news agency.
‘The staff around the training ground seem much more happier and in a much better place, and I think it shows on the pitch.
‘I think we’ve still got a lot to improve on, but I think the signs right now are in a really good moment to show that we’re pushing in the right place.
‘Of course still in four competitions and in a massive final that means a lot to us. It feels like we’re in a really good path and there’s a lot of enjoyment. The sort of feel-good factor’s back here and I think that’s all we really need to focus on.’
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‘I love playing next to him!’
