The Butcher: Lisandro Martinez explains the origins behind nickname

LEEDS, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Crysencio Summerville of Leeds United has his shot saved by David De Gea of Manchester United while under pressure from Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Manchester United at Elland Road on February 12, 2023 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Lisandro Martinez has been Manchester United’s best defender this season. That’s one of the reasons why he has quickly become a fans’ favourite at Old Trafford.

The Argentina international is set to return to the line-up in Sunday’s Premier League clash against Leicester City. United had to play Barcelona without him on Thursday night, so it will be a big boost for Erik ten Hag’s side to have Martinez back.

Standing at just 5’9”, Martinez was predicted to be a flop in the Premier League by former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, who has since eaten his words.

Martinez’s defensive prowess has been the talk of the town for quite a while now, and he won himself a World Cup winners’ medal at the Qatar World Cup in December. In Argentina and Amsterdam via Argentina, Martinez is known as The Butcher.

In a recent interview, Martinez shed some light on the origin of his nickname and confessed he wasn’t exactly sure why he earned such a nickname — but we all have a pretty good idea why!

“I don’t even remember who gave me the nickname,” Martinez told the Mirror. “It must be because I’m aggressive in the way I play my game. I did once make a vacuum (a cut of Argentine beef) in my house, so in one way the nickname suits me! But the truth is that I do go to each challenge like it is going to be my last one.”

Martinez added how he has improved his style of play, especially as a ball-playing centre-back.

“Having said that, I have greatly improved the way I read the game and how to make decisions. I have also grown in the way I pass the ball. And I want to continue improving absolutely everything.

“There is no limit for me. But if I want to go higher, I have to work for it – and that will always be the reality.”

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