Martinez confident Man Utd are on ´patient´ path towards silverware under Ten Hag

Lisandro Martinez believes Manchester United are on track to compete for honours under Erik ten Hag, but says the Red Devils must remain grounded following their turnaround in fortunes.

United began the campaign with humiliating back-to-back losses to Brighton and Hove Albion and Brentford, but have won six of their eight subsequent Premier League fixtures to sit fifth in the table.

Ten Hag’s team could now leapfrog Chelsea into a top-four spot when they face the Blues at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, having won three of their last four away league games.

United claimed one of their most impressive results of the season last time out, as goals from Fred and Bruno Fernandes downed Tottenham 2-0 at Old Trafford, and Martinez says that display was the culmination of much work from Ten Hag’s team.

Asked whether Wednesday’s win represented their best performance of the season, Martinez told Sky Sports: “I think so. We did a great job.

“We controlled the game, the whole 90 minutes. I think they had only one chance in the first half and then we were solid in defence.

“I am really happy because we tried really hard to play at this level. We want to play this way. It is fantastic to do it.”

Martinez was heavily criticised for his own role in United’s early-season woes, with detractors suggesting the Argentina international did have the necessary physical attributes to thrive in England.

But the former Ajax man stressed the importance of remaining calm as he added: “Sometimes we have to be patient, you know. Especially in the beginning, we know that we did not play how we wanted.

“But it is part of football, we learn. It is experience. We have a new team, a new system. Now we have to keep going.

“It is difficult. Especially in football, you don’t have time. If you lose you are a really bad player or a really bad team. But we know what we are. We have to be calm, we have to be patient, and always try hard.

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“For sure, our ambition is to win titles, to put Manchester United where they deserve [to be].

“I think we are in a good way to do it. But we have to keep our feet on the ground, we have to be humble and take it step by step.”

Martinez was also asked to name his defensive role model, and selected another fiery Argentine, one who participated in a Premier League title win with United in the 2006-07 season.

“Gabriel Heinze is my idol,” Martinez added. “I love him. I love the way he played, very aggressive, good mentality, good mentality in the duels.

“[He played] every game as a final. He was a top player. I try to play like him. We are a bit different as well, but I like his mentality.”

United are bidding to improve on a poor record at Stamford Bridge – their 20 per cent win rate (6/30) in away Premier League games against Chelsea is their worst record against any side they have faced more than twice on the road.