On July 17th, Manchester United reached an agreement with Ajax to sign the Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez. United believed that this new signing will solve its long-standing issue with their defense.
Over the past weeks, United Chief Richard Arnold traveled to Amsterdam several times to finalize the deal. The Red Devils agreed to pay Ajax £47 million and signing a 5 year contract with the 24-year-old Argentine footballer.
Arsenal, United’s longtime rival, also showed interest in the Ajax defender. While the Gunners’ playing style under Arteta fits well with Martinez, the Argentine international eventually chose to reunite with his former coach Erik Ten Hag at Manchester United. “A big factor in his move to United will be Ten Hag who has always shown such confidence in him,” said James Rowe, a Dutch soccer expert.
Having won 2 Dutch titles and 1 Johan Cruyff Shield with Ajax, Martinez leaves for Manchester United highly decorated. The Argentine defender has completed more passes, forward passes, and aerial duels won per 90 minutes than any of the current United center-backs. Experts have suggested that Ten Hag was already swapping positions in friendly games to clear positions for the Argentine star to join straight into the starting line-up.
Although Martinez ranked higher than his teammate on paper, critics have pointed out that these data may be misleading. The Eredivisie, the league that Martinez previously played in, was only ranked 7th by UEFA, far less competitive than the physically demanding Premier league. With a height of 5ft 9in, an entire 7-inch shorter than Henry Maguire, many critics are skeptical of Martinez’s ability to defend against big center forwards in the Premier league.
Will Martinez adapt to the demands of the Premier League and shine at Old Trafford? We will soon find out the answer as the season starts this fall.
Over the past weeks, United Chief Richard Arnold traveled to Amsterdam several times to finalize the deal. The Red Devils agreed to pay Ajax £47 million and signing a 5 year contract with the 24-year-old Argentine footballer.
Arsenal, United’s longtime rival, also showed interest in the Ajax defender. While the Gunners’ playing style under Arteta fits well with Martinez, the Argentine international eventually chose to reunite with his former coach Erik Ten Hag at Manchester United. “A big factor in his move to United will be Ten Hag who has always shown such confidence in him,” said James Rowe, a Dutch soccer expert.
Having won 2 Dutch titles and 1 Johan Cruyff Shield with Ajax, Martinez leaves for Manchester United highly decorated. The Argentine defender has completed more passes, forward passes, and aerial duels won per 90 minutes than any of the current United center-backs. Experts have suggested that Ten Hag was already swapping positions in friendly games to clear positions for the Argentine star to join straight into the starting line-up.
Although Martinez ranked higher than his teammate on paper, critics have pointed out that these data may be misleading. The Eredivisie, the league that Martinez previously played in, was only ranked 7th by UEFA, far less competitive than the physically demanding Premier league. With a height of 5ft 9in, an entire 7-inch shorter than Henry Maguire, many critics are skeptical of Martinez’s ability to defend against big center forwards in the Premier league.
Will Martinez adapt to the demands of the Premier League and shine at Old Trafford? We will soon find out the answer as the season starts this fall.
