“Bench him today. He’s just going to perform terribly. Give him a chance to rest. He has not added anything of importance to the team this season”– This is according to Roy Keane as he advises Ten Hag that he must drop the Manchester United player who’s having a “terrible season.”

It’s fair to say Manchester United have been woeful this season, currently stuck in mid-table with only seven points from their first six Premier League matches.

Manager Erik ten Hag is under immense pressure, with recent reports suggesting his position is increasingly precarious.

While his role as manager isn’t yet deemed unsalvageable, a meeting between United’s owners and the new football hierarchy is set for Tuesday, following the Aston Villa game, according to Adam Crafton.

Manchester United’s statistics for the 2024/25 season highlight their struggles. The Red Devils’ performance so far has been notably poor, with only seven points earned from two victories against Fulham and Southampton and a draw away at Crystal Palace.

Their other three matches have ended in defeats, underscoring how much they have underperformed this season.

The losses have been the most damaging for Manchester United this season. Their first defeat was a 2-1 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion, sealed by a late winner from Joao Pedro.

This was followed by a 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool in early September, with Tottenham Hotspur inflicting another 3-0 loss last weekend.

Adding to their woes, United also drew in Europa League matches against FC Twente and Porto, with the latter game being especially fortunate, as Harry Maguire salvaged a point in stoppage time after trailing 3-2. These results have not helped Erik ten Hag’s situation.

According to Understat, Manchester United’s stats this season are far from impressive. The Red Devils have only managed to score five goals, despite having an expected goals (xG) tally of 10.81. Before the weekend, Southampton were the only team to have scored fewer goals, with just three.

**Manchester United’s 2024/25 Premier League stats:**

– **Points**: 7
– **Expected points**: 8.63
– **Goals scored**: 5
– **Expected goals**: 10.81
– **Goals conceded**: 8
– **Expected goals conceded**: 13.10
– **Clean sheets**: 3

It’s been a disastrous season so far for United, and Erik ten Hag’s performance has come under scrutiny. However, some players have not helped his cause, including Lisandro Martinez.

**Martinez’s 2024/25 performance:**
Initially mocked for his height when he joined Old Trafford, Martinez quickly became a fan favorite. However, after an injury-plagued 2023/24 season—during which he missed 42 games and 188 days—he has struggled to regain his best form.

So far, Argentine World Cup winner Lisandro Martinez has made 68 appearances for Manchester United, scoring once—against Arsenal at the Emirates in 2023—and providing one assist. He has contributed to 26 clean sheets, including three this season.

Journalist Alex Turk, who reports on United, remarked that Martinez is having a “seriously stinky season” in 2024/25. However, Turk also pointed out that the defender is being “massively exposed” by Erik ten Hag, his former coach at Ajax.

Ten Hag’s recent tactics involve right-back Diogo Dalot tucking into midfield and pushing forward when United have possession, which leaves Martinez, as the left-sided center-back, having to defend wider areas and cover more ground.

At 5 foot 9, the 26-year-old Lisandro Martinez faces challenges competing with taller center-backs who can cover ground more quickly. He excels in tight spaces and shorter distances, which highlights some of his vulnerabilities when exposed by Erik ten Hag’s tactics. This was evident on Thursday night against Porto, contributing to the Portuguese team’s third goal, as demonstrated in the clip below.

The Dutch manager may choose to bench Martinez for Manchester United’s match at Villa Park this afternoon. Not only is he placed in a system that highlights his vulnerabilities, but his recent performances have also been underwhelming. A spell on the sidelines might allow Martinez to refocus and work on regaining his best form, potentially aiding United in getting their season back on track.