Lisandro Martinez impact proven by Manchester United clean sheet statistic

Manchester United have kept the second most clean sheets in Europe across all competitions this season, bettered only by Newcastle United.

On Wednesday evening, Manchester United drew themselves one step closer to their first final under Erik ten Hag, defeating Nottingham Forest 3-0 in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, thanks to goals from Marcus Rashford, Wout Weghorst, and Bruno Fernandes.

Despite the three goal scorers, it was Lisandro Martinez who was awarded the Player of the Match award for his high-level defending and passing abilities on the night – he was a joy to watch one again.

Read More: Lisandro Martinez reveals what Wout Weghorst adds to Man United behind-the-scenes

Last season, Manchester United kept a grand total of 10 clean sheets across all competitions, across 49 matches.

United conceded a total of 69 goals across those competitions, 66 by David de Gea in 46 games and 3 by Dean Henderson across three matches. Tom Heaton also made one appearance as a substitute and didn’t concede in the 27 minutes he played, however this does not constitute as a clean sheet.

United have already kept 15 clean sheets this season, with only Newcastle United keeping more (16) among teams in Europe’s top five leagues. United currently sit tied with Barcelona on total clean sheets, who sit three points clear on top of the La Liga table, and who also happen to be United’s next Europa League opponents across two legs.

One major difference in the defence this season has been the introduction of Martinez in the heart of defence, who has been nothing short of absolute perfection since his arrival.

Even though he was part of the defence that conceded four goals in 45 minutes against Brentford and was substituted at half-time in that game, it was clear just how much of an upgrade he was on United’s centre-back options, and this has been proved 10-fold since.

He has started 23 of United’s fixtures so far this season, and has been a catalyst for United’s good form of late, despite overwhelming criticism from millions regarding his transfer back in the summer. A lot has been said regarding his height – however he has won 58% of his aerial duels so far this season, with a lot of this down to his brilliant timing and match awareness to compensate for his height.

No one is talking about his price tag anymore – he has put that argument to bed completely. Having taken Harry Maguire’s spot in the team, the captains armband has since been handed to Bruno Fernandes when Maguire doesn’t feature; although if a new captain was to be elected, Lisandro Martinez should be considered as a permanent replacement.