Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez stood up when Manchester United struggled in the early stages at St Mary’s. There are encouraging signs they could be the solid central defensive pairing Erik ten Hag has craved.
United gained in confidence and controlled the game after scoring their first goal after 35 minutes. But before then they were under pressure and it was the centre backs who helped them ride the storm.
Both players looked aggressive in wanting to win the ball and use their physicality to impact the game.
Without much help from team-mates, they held firm during the difficult first half-hour.
They were proactive in the press — sometimes stepping into midfield to try and win the ball — and there were a couple of good clearing headers from De Ligt. They set the tone for the team.
De Ligt bagged his first Manchester United goal when he scored against Southampton
Lisandro Martinez made several crucial interventions to preserve the Red Devils’ clean sheet
Yes, we know better opposition such as Liverpool could have finished off United but that’s not the fault of the centre halves; all defenders need some protection which is why Manuel Ugarte has been signed.
The important thing for Ten Hag was to see them gel as a partnership. The positioning between them was good — rarely far apart. Martinez’s distribution was brilliant and De Ligt got a goal to lift him after a difficult international break.
They looked well balanced and secure. The major issues United had came from areas where Diogo Dalot had a tough time. In the middle, they were solid.
Ten Hag now needs to keep that pair together for a run of games so they can develop together. Injuries last season meant United chopped and changed at the back so often, they looked muddled.
De Ligt has probably not had the success his early days at Ajax suggested. What I liked about him yesterday is that he doesn’t seem the type to get flustered by past mistakes or previous performances.
He was substituted on Tuesday by his country against Germany but he was still there organising his United team-mates. I saw him regularly giving instructions, he’s not shy in that respect, not one to go into his shell.
De Ligt and Martinez won’t be able to change United’s fortunes on their own but they and Ugarte can provide a valuable foundation to build on.
