Lisandro Martinez hails ‘amazing’ partnership with Raphael Varane at Man United

Lisandro Martinez has heaped praise on his ‘amazing’ defensive partnership with Raphael Varane at Manchester United – talking up the ‘confidence’ they have built up while playing together. 

Despite some concerns over Martinez’s suitability for the Premier League, the Argentine World Cup winner has thrived alongside the Frenchman this season and been a key player for Erik ten Hag.

The defensive pair played a key part in United’s League Cup triumph last month and will be hoping to stay on track for another trophy when they face Real Betis in the second leg of their Europa League last 16 tie on Thursday.

Ahead of the game, Martinez was keen to highlight his admiration for Varane and how much he has enjoyed playing alongside the former Real Madrid man. 

‘Raphael Varane] is an amazing player,’ Martinez told the club’s official website ahead of the game, ‘I really enjoy playing with him.’

Lisandro Martinez (L) has hailed his connection with Raphael Varane (R) at Manchester United

The pair have already lifted the Carabao Cup together and could take United to an unlikely treble

‘We always enjoy [being together] in training, but the good thing is [we are] working hard. We are doing an amazing job.’

‘I am happy because we have a really good connection. When you have those players and that connection, you can have clean sheets and you can play [with confidence at] the back.’

It is not the first time Martinez had spoken fondly of Varane. In January he said it felt ‘like the pair had known each other for years’ after they embraced having faced each other in the World Cup final.

‘It was really, really important,’ he said, when asked about his consolations and embrace for Varane at the Lusail.

‘We’ve only known each other a short time at United but we get on really, really well and there’s a real mutual respect and feeling between us. It’s like we’ve known each other for years.

‘There’s a mutual love and respect between us. We shared that hug and it was important because football is like that. What happens on the pitch, stays on the pitch, but what happens off it is just as important and relationships like that count.’ 

Martinez said their rapport on the pitch allows for the team to play with more confidence

United go into the second leg against Betis with a three goal advantage after bouncing back from their 7-0 trouncing by Liverpool to win 4-1 in the first leg last week.

They followed it up with a  disappointing 0-0 draw with Southampton that saw Casemiro sent off for the second time this season, but Martinez and Varane did pick up another clean sheet.

The Argentine defender went on to speak of the mindset at Old Trafford, as he Continued: ‘We are Manchester United and we want to win every trophy. We have to work hard, which we are doing now.

‘We have to go game-by-game and believe, but we have to fight for every title.’

He later added that the connection between fans and players is ‘what football is all about’ and that United need to ‘play with heart’ to reward their supporters. 

If ten Hag’s men can prevent a comeback from Betis this evening they could still be on course for an unusual treble.

With the Carabao Cup already in the bag and an FA Cup semi final to play against Fulham next week, it could be an excellent first season in England for the Dutchman.