In the long and storied history of Manchester United, supporters have witnessed some of the finest players in world football, representing a myriad of different countries, grace the Old Trafford pitch.
Yet there is one nation whose representatives have rarely managed to fully embrace the club's ethos. Eight Argentines have represented the Red Devils, with several failing to leave the lasting impression their talent might have suggested.
Despite winning three World Cups, 16 Copa Americas, and producing some of the greatest footballers ever, that success has rarely translated to Manchester United.
Lisandro Martinez is the latest example. He joined United from Ajax in 2022, lifting the World Cup just months later. While the Argentine has enjoyed several impressive spells at Old Trafford, problems have begun to emerge.
With a reported wage of 120,000, Martinez sits towards the lower end of United's wage structure. However, he reportedly believes his contributions warrant more and has been pushing for a new and improved contract since lifting the coveted trophy.
This season has been a breaking point for many fans. Whilst some can still recognise his qualities, most have become tired of his liabilities at the back, as well as his decision to publicly criticise the club's hierarchy following Manchester United's 2-0 Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid.
A large majority of fans agreed with his comments about Jason Wilcox and the rest of the United hierarchy, but there is no doubt that his performances on the pitch have left little to be desired.
Poor defending overall, an own goal against Fulham, bad man-marking against both Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, weak defending against Bournemouth and Atletico Madrid, and, of course, his ludicrous two yellow cards against Chelsea on Saturday that happened over the space of just two minutes.
It has gotten so bad for the centre-back that he was branded the worst player in the league by Michael Cox of The Athletic, with the journalist commenting that Martinez has led United to drop points in three matches already in this campaign.
Despite Martinez being the man shouldering the blame for Argentina's at United at the present time, he is not the first to be vilified whilst at the club.
Of the eight Argentines to have represented the Red Devils, there is a strong argument that only backup goalkeeper Sergio Romero managed to establish a genuinely positive legacy at Old Trafford.
The remaining six? Juan Sebastian Veron had his moments for United, but ultimately, breaking the British transfer record for the then Lazio midfielder has gone down as one of the club'smore costly mistakes.
Gabriel Heinze and Carlos Tevez both excelled in red, but as their time came to an end at the club, Heinze tried to force a move to Liverpool, whilst Tevez rejected a contract from United, choosing instead to join inter-city rivals Manchester City.
Angel Di Maria looked like he could be the star signing to bring the club out of the post-Ferguson slump, and despite some electrifying performances in his one and only season in Manchester, he became a disliked player with his wife's comments about the city of Manchester only just drumming up the general disfavour.
"The food's disgusting... I just told him, 'Darling, I want to kill myself, it's nighttime at two o'clock'"Jorgelina Cardoso - Di Maria's wife
Centre-back Marcus Rojo was generally liked by the Manchester United fanbase, but he was a liability at the back who always looked seconds away from a red card—despite never actually receiving one whilst playing for the club.
Lastly is Alejandro Garnacho, the Argentine with the most appearances for Manchester United, and the second-most goals—26, behind only Carlos Tevez with 34. My view on the Garnacho saga is sadness, not scorn. Ultimately, after the season he had, there was no way Ruben Amorim would have kept him at the club after his outburst following the 1-0 loss in the Europa League final, but go back just a few years, and he was the shining star of the club, an academy prospect with the world at his feet.
With Martinez now seemingly destined to leave on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of the season, United look set to close another chapter in their complicated relationship with Argentine footballers—and, for the first time since the summer of 2014, face the prospect of an Old Trafford without an Argentine presence.
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