Chris Sutton lists the surprise player Man Utd 'missed' the most last season

Chris Sutton believes Manchester United were hit hard by Lisandro Martinez's injury problems last season, telling the Argentine defender to make the difference this campaign.

Martinez joined the Red Devils from Ajax in the summer of 2022 and made 45 appearances in all competitions in his first season at the club, lifting the EFL Cup along the way.

However, the 23-times capped Argentinian suffered through foot, knee and calf injuries during 2023/24, which limited him to 14 appearances and 648 Premier League minutes.

Martinez returned in time to help United win their last two Premier League games of the season, starting as the Red Devils shocked rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

Sutton: Martinez will be key for Man Utd

Martinez played the full 90 minutes of Man Utd's 1-0 win over Fulham to open the new Premier League season last Friday.

The 26-year-old had a superb performance that saw him score three goals, three fumbles, two fumbles and two fumble recoveries, while completing 54 of 61 pass attempts.

It was the kind of performance that reminded Man Utd fans what they were missing last season and it was enough to convince former Blackburn, Chelsea and Celtic striker Sutton that he can make a difference this year.

“Getting off to a winning start in the Premier League was important for Erik ten Hag, even though Manchester United didn't reach the level they might have been able to,” Sutton wrote in his Premier League prediction column for BBC Sport.

He added: “Lisandro Martinez will be key for them this season. I know everyone talks about the attacking players, but they missed him for big parts last season and he gives them an iron back.”

Sutton has predicted that United will draw this weekend's 1-1 against Brighton, citing the Seagulls' stunning 3-0 win at Everton last week as motivation to take a surprise point against the Red Devils.

“I predicted that Brighton would lose to Everton and they won easily in the end. “They like to be picked on the left and Fabian Hurzeler has made a really good start,” continued Sutton.

“It's always important to get that first win under your belt as a new manager to get that belief that your message is being received.”