Top five reasons why Lisandro Martinez is perfect for Manchester United

The defender is getting closer to joining the 20-time English champions.

Lisandro Martinez is gaining a lot of attention from elite European clubs. The defender plays for AFC Ajax but is edging closer to signing for Manchester United. There is competition for his signature as Arsenal is also in talks with the club. As far as personal preference goes, Lisandro Martinez reportedly made it clear he wants a Premier League move. The final stage of the negotiations between clubs will make it clear where he goes in the transfer window before the 2022-23 season begins.

At the moment, Manchester United’s offer of £39m plus add-ons is better than what Arsenal is offering the Dutch club. The Red Devils are therefore frontrunners to sign the exciting defender who will be a key addition under the new leadership of Erik ten Hag. 

There is a lot of positivity at MUFC around this move, with a belief they will strike a deal with Ajax. There is a good relationship between clubs as their current manager was previously working with the Dutch Eredivisie champions. As for the player himself, the following five reasons clarify why he is the perfect figure to join Manchester United.

Versatile Defender

Lisandro Martinez is chiefly a centre-back by trade. However, the 24-year-old can play a wider role in a three-man defence. He can also play as a makeshift full-back whenever the team requires him to do so. Since his game style allows him to progress with the ball, he is reliable with the ball on his feet. 

Manchester United can also employ the Argentine in a defensive midfield role while playing a 4-1-2-3 formation. This allows for two forward-thinking midfielders to take the pitch at the same time. If MUFC signs Frenkie De Jong, then he can play in an advanced role with Bruno Fernandes with Martinez covering behind the pair.

Relationship With Erik ten Hag

Erik ten Hag is pushing to bring players to Manchester United that he has worked with before. The pursuit of Frenkie De Jong, Antony and Lisandro Martinez suggests the same. Both the defender and the tactician worked together at the Dutch outfit until the 2021-22 season.

Having familiar figures will help Erik ten Hag in implementing his ideas quickly and efficiently. In this context, Lisandro Martinez becomes a perfect signing for Manchester United. In the player, they get a sensational defender hungry to prove himself and give the manager the ideal tools to bring success. Martinez is a ball-playing centre-back, something which makes him essential to how Erik will want MUFC to play.

A Key Addition In Defence

Manchester United desperately needs better quality in defence. Last season, the club let in 57 goals, which was their worst tally since the Premier League came into existence in 1992. Furthermore, the club only scored 57 goals on the other end, thereby finishing with an embarrassing goal difference of zero. Their defensive record was the worst by a considerable margin amongst the top-six sides in the league.

With Lisandro Martinez’s arrival, that trend would come to a stop. The reliable Argentine has a good fitness record whereas someone like Raphael Varane struggled last year. He could build a strong partnership with either Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof or Varane in the upcoming season. The defence is one of the problem areas that the Red Devils must fix at the earliest. 

Brings Competition 

As aforementioned, Lisandro Martinez’s arrival will help Manchester United build a solid defence for the upcoming season. One of the major advantages of signing the Argentine will be the immediate rise in competition for the places. If Martinez makes the starting lineup, which he will most likely due to Erik ten Hag’s trust, then only one of Maguire, Varane and Lindelof will be able to partner with him.

In football, competition is absolutely vital. It brings the best out of players who give their utmost to make the starting lineup. In the grand scheme of things, Martinez’s arrival will improve the rest of the team’s performance, which is why he is perfect for the Red Devils. 

Tactical Brilliance

Lisandro Martinez is dominant in the air despite being less than six feet in height. While some may think he will struggle against the pacy attackers of the Premier League, Martinez’s reading of the game gives him an edge. On the defensive side, he made 1.9 interceptions, 2.0 tackles, and 2.8 clearances per game in the Eredivisie 2021-22. He won a massive 69% of his ground and 71% of his aerial duels respectively.

This is the type of hunger that MUFC players were lacking in the past season. He only received four yellow cards which tells one of his disciplinary records. The 24-year-old is not shy of venturing forward, scoring a goal and making four assists across all competitions last term. A defender whose game is so refined overall will be a perfect addition to the squad at Manchester United.

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