The aftermath of Manchester United’s 2-0 win over Tottenham delivered one of those rare moments where respect cuts through rivalry. Dominic Solanke endured a miserable afternoon, starved of space and service by a relentless United defence, but his strongest words came after the final whistle. Walking back down the tunnel, the Spurs striker had nothing but admiration for the defender who shut him out completely for 90 minutes: Lisandro Martinez.
While Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes grabbed the headlines with their goals, Solanke’s reaction spoke volumes about Martinez’s current level. The Argentine didn’t just have a good game — he played like a defender operating at the very top of world football.
Solanke reportedly made it clear that comparisons were no longer enough. Having tested himself against Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool in recent weeks, he felt Martinez, right now, stands apart. Height jokes aside, the United centre-back gave him no room, no momentum and no chance to settle, leaving him convinced he had just faced the best defender in the Premier League.
The numbers back it up. Solanke, who recently stunned Manchester City with a spectacular scorpion-kick finish, managed only a single effort on target and barely saw the ball in dangerous areas. Martinez dominated every duel, winning all of his aerial battles despite the physical mismatch, and repeatedly stepping in front of the striker to kill attacks early. Alongside Harry Maguire, he helped United record their second clean sheet in three matches, adding a level of calm and structure that has allowed players like Kobbie Mainoo to thrive.
Under Michael Carrick, United’s defence has pushed higher and played braver, trusting Martinez’s anticipation and aggression to snuff out danger before it develops. That trust has paid off, forming the backbone of a resurgence that has pulled United back into the title conversation.
With momentum building and tougher tests ahead, the debate around the league’s top defender is shifting fast. For Solanke, at least, there’s no debate at all.
