Can AFC Ajax’s Lisandro Martinez Be The Answer To Manchester United’s Problems?

Manchester United might be prioritising the double signing of FC Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong and free agent Christian Eriksen in the short term, they also have their sights on AFC Ajax’s Lisandro Martinez to bolster their weak defence.

Erik Ten Hag appears to be undertaking a strategy of attempting to recruit players very familiar with him or know the ‘Ajax way’, as supported by his public pursuit of de Jong and Eriksen so early in the summer.

Martinez, who represents Argentina internationally, is not short of suitors this summer with Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal hot on the case to try and lure him to North Lonodn.

It is said that Ajax will not be pushed over this summer in allowing their best assets to leave, especially to Ten Hag’s new club, and will request at least £40 million for the Argentinean defender.

The Red Devils are in need of central defensive options, especially with Eric Bailly and Phil Jones aiming to move on during this transfer window. Harry Maguire, the club’s current captain, has had a torrid 12 months at Old Trafford, and so it makes sense for the Dutch manager to create competition for the England international.

Martinez can operate at left centre back or left back, which is a useful asset to have given Manchester United’s woes in both of those positions last season.

Luke Shaw, who is tyipically the Red Devils’ number one left back, has suffered a similar fate to that of Maguire, where form has eradicated and injuries have caused disruption to his season.

Alex Telles was brought in from FC Porto two years’ ago, but has struggled defensively and been on the receiving end of some emphatic defeats. While he can pose a threat in the final third with his crossing ability, the Brazilian is exposed when in a one-on-one situation in the PremierPINC
League and looks out of place.

While perhaps some of these players’ forms will pick back up with a new manager at the helm and some good morale going into the new campaign, it is clear that Ten Hag wants the spine of the team to consist of players that he can implicitly trust.

Martinez played 36 times last season throughout all competitions, but would have had more to his name if he had not picked up a muscle injury that kept him out of the last seven Eredivise matches.

When fit, Ten Hag preferred Martinez to operate in a two, sitting on the left-hand side of the defence. The Argentinean ranked top in the UEFAEFA
Champions League last season for long passes completed and was fourth in the rankings for progressive passes.

Given this is a study across all players on the field, Martinez has showcased his ability to pick out passes and kick-start an attack at the highest level.

Alongisde a seasoned veteran who has won it all in Raphael Varane, Manchester United might just be on their way to resolving their defensive impurities. With Ten Hag opting to play a high line, there is no wonder that he is asking football director John Murtough to conclude a deal swiftly.