Martinez delivers best defensive performance of the season during United 2-1 Palace

Manchester United will certainly feel like they robbed away all three points as their weekend clash against Crystal Palace in the Premier League ended 2-1.

This ought not to have been the case. The home side had done the hard work with their opening goal via a penalty with Bruno Fernandes skipping his way into the lead. This was followed by Marcus Rashford continuing his exceptional form and netting the second goal.

However, the Red Devils appeared to throw it all away as Casemiro got involved in an avoidable altercation which VAR and then the on-field referee deemed to be worthy of a red card.

10-man United easily conceded with Jeffrey Schlupp making no mistake. As such, well into added time Palace looked all but certain to equalize, if not for the single-minded efforts of one man.

Lisandro Martinez was a masterclass in defending on the night. The same was probably best highlighted in the dying second of added time when the Argentine centre-back made the all-important interception, leading the ball to go into throw-in and eventually to the final whistle being blown. Prior to that, he was crucial in keeping a rejuvenated Palace frontline from getting into a scoring position.

Apart from that, the 25-year-old was excellent beyond par, with even his passing being one of the best on the field.

Fans took great notice of the World Cup winner and Twitter was riddled with appreciation for Martinez.

Lisandro Martinez with one of the best centre-back performances I've ever seen.

— Oliver (@Oliveresuana) February 4, 2023

https://twitter.com/Squawka/status/1621921472879927297

Can’t even lie fair enough, Lisandro Martinez is a different beast, there’s something about these Argentinians…

— Mod (@CFCMod_) February 4, 2023

https://twitter.com/Sensemilia_/status/1621916547223633927

Two rounds of applause for Martinez this half signals how well he has started it and how more front-footed Palace's approach is. #mufc at risk of a Selhurst remake unless they play more proactively.

— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) February 4, 2023

Lisandro Martinez's reaction suggests he quite enjoyed that.

— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) February 4, 2023

Now, Erik ten Hag and company will have to fret about the congested fixture list ahead. Casemiro is one of the club’s most prolific performers up until now and his red-card suspension will be sorely felt.

Interestingly, this performance from Martinez may just keep Harry Maguire further away from the starting lineup.