The centre-back has since impressed in the Premier League despite his height, and has begun to form a great partnership with Raphael Varane at the heart of Manchester United’s defence.
The pair have started five games together in 2022/23 and have shipped just two goals as a pair.
Now, Martinez has been discussing his new partnership with Varane:
“Everyone knows how good he is. He is a legend for me,” Martinez said after the win in the Zimbru Stadium. “I’m really happy to play with him at the back, but every player in the team is ready to play. Every player is doing well and working hard. That’s the important point. “It’s not just Varane, it is Harry, it is Luke Shaw, it is Donny can de Beek, it is everyone. Everyone is ready, that is the good point [of where we are] as a team.”
Whilst Varane and Martinez working well is good news for United, it has seen Harry Maguire’s game time limited, which is a big blow for England ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
Elsewhere, Martinez spoke about adapting to the Premier League: “Well, the Premier League is the best league in the world because it is very physical and you are playing against the best players in the world every game. You have to prepare, you have to be ready for that,” he said. “I think, at the beginning, it was a bit hard but like every step I have had to take in my career, you have to work hard, you have to keep going. Now we are doing well.”
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