Manchester United have discovered its most effective alliance in a decade.
Man United’s defensive pairing of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez is their best since Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez are the best central defender pairing Manchester United have had since Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. Louis van Gaal would likely disagree, and he has compelling evidence to support his position, but Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez are the best central defender pairing Manchester United have had since Rio Ferdinand and Neman
Having prepared for the 2015-16 season with Phil Jones and Daley Blind alongside Smalling, Van Gaal stumbled across Chris Smalling and Daley Blind as an improbable yet formidable combo. Jones then succumbed to his wounds.
United allowed 35 goals in 38 Premier League contests. Blind and Smalling both started 35 matches. Blind was dubbed Van Gaal’s “footballing son” in a fascinating documentary.
Smalling, a more secure defender than Jones, and Blind, as versatile as Jones but fitter and more skilled, were both dumped by the previous United administration, while Jones still wears the number four shirt.
Jones and Blind were positioned where they had played on the preseason tour when they appeared at the United Adidas kit reveal at Texture Bar in the Northern Quarter in 2015. Jones was possibly so conditioned that he sat on the far right when he watched Spectre at the Great Northern theater.
A second Dutch manager who insists on right- and left-footed central defenders has landed on a more fearsome axis. United first prioritized Jurrien Timber as an Ajax defender, but Martinez phoned Ten Hag and informed him of Arsenal’s interest.
Ten Hag recalled, “I shouldn’t shoot myself or United in the foot either.” Martinez’s purchase price of £55.3 million appeared extravagant at the time, but he is now worth twice as much.
When Crystal Palace threatened Old Trafford, Martinez extinguished the threat. He has altered the mentality of United’s defense, which now celebrates blocks, tackles, and goal kicks. On Saturday, as United clung to a one-goal lead, the normally reticent Varane became a cheerleader.
Martinez and Ten Hag interact in English. On the field, Martinez and Varane talk in Spanish, and both understand each other fluently. Ten Hag has praised Martinez using the Italian phrase girinta, which translates to “grit.”
Varane and Martinez are both soft-spoken, but Martinez is a distinctly Argentine defender. Martinez’s mastery of controlled aggression and refusal to cross the line set him apart from his weaker teammates on the World Cup-winning group. Martinez discomfited Mohamed Salah with a simple push.
United’s turnaround this season began when Varane was recalled against Liverpool. At one point during preseason, he was the fourth-choice central defender, and there have been no three better central defenders than Varane this entire season. Arsenal’s Varane, Martinez, and William Saliba are competing for two positions in the Premier League’s squad of the year.
Varane has enough honors and medals to create his own museum, but he continues to be motivated. Thankfully for United, he has ended his international career at age 29. Paul Scholes was the same age when he last played for England, and he continued to play for a further nine years.
“I believe it’s wonderful news for United,” Ten Hag added. “It is fantastic what Rapha has accomplished, not only with his club but also with his country; he has my utmost admiration, and I am glad he puts all his passion and experience into the squad.” I can only convey my admiration for his career to date. However, there is still more to be accomplished; he is ambitious and desires to win at Manchester United.”
“There’s something really special going on here, a real buzz about the place and emotions are running high,” Varane commented. “I’m really glad that I’ve integrated so well into the team and to my life over here.
“It is a big plus to have won some trophies and one tries to spread that tranquility, that calm serenity among the team, in the knowledge that there will be difficult moments to navigate, not to panic, safe in the knowledge too that chances will come our way as well.”
Three Champions League final appearances in four years and four Premier League team-of-the-season selections apiece earned Ferdinand and Vidic undeniably world-class status. During the 2006-2008 season, Ferdinand was the best defender in the world, but Vidic won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award in the year that Ferdinand’s back injury accelerated his downfall.
Ferdinand congratulated Varane during his unveiling by United eighteen months ago. “Win, win, win,” Ferdinand shouted.
This is exactly what United is doing.
