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LISANDRO MARTINEZ was outstanding for Manchester United in the FA Cup final and they missed him at the back while he was injured.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta fought United for the player in 2022 with the Argentine defender moving from Ajax to Old Trafford in a £48.5million deal.
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What is lesser known is that the Arsenal manager was also offered him for a tiny fee 12 months earlier but he turned the chance down.
Arsenal’s loss has been the gain of the Red Devils as Martinez finally looks to have settled into the demands of the Premier League.
The 26-year-old initially seemed undersized and ill-equipped to deal with the rigours of the most physical league in the world.
But his incredible performance in United’s FA Cup final triumph over Manchester City last weekend proved his worth.
The Argentina international was imperious at the heart of the United’s defence and kept Erling Haaland at bay for large portions of the match.
Arteta will no doubt have seen Martinez’s display and will be ruing his decision to reject the North Londoners.
City boss Pep Guardiola was blown away by Martinez’s display, saying: “Lisandro Martinez is top five centre-backs in the world.
“He made the difference on this game by playing passes through our defence.”
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The Spaniard later added: “Erling is taller, that’s for sure.
“I like it when people underestimate players for the size. He can tell them I’m here and a good player.
“He’s a fantastic player, aggressive, good build-up.
“United paid this money, Erik [ten Hag] knows him. It’s not the first time he’s played against taller strikers, he handles it.
“[It’s] important to be intelligent, brave. The crosses, Erling is taller, we see what happens.”
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