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

SportsMoney Can AFC Ajax’s Lisandro Martinez Be The Answer To Manchester United’s Problems? Liam Canning Contributor Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. I cover the Premier League and other fascinating stories in Europe New! Follow this author to improve your content experience. Got it! Jun 25, 2022, 09:02am EDT | Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin AMSTERDAM – (lr) Lisandro Martinez of Ajax with the Rinus Michels award (player of the year) after .

. . [+] winning the 36th Dutch Eredivisie title after the Eredivisie match between Ajax and sc Heerenveen in the Johan Cruijff ArenA on 11 May 2022 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

ANP MAURICE VAN STEEN (Photo by ANP via Getty Images) ANP via Getty Images 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. Lille’s French midfileder Benjamin Andre (L) fights for the ball with Ajax’Argentinian defender . .

. [+] Lisandro Martinez during the UEFA Champions league Group H football match between Ajax FC Amsterdam and LOSC Lille, at the Johan Cruijff Arena, in Amsterdam, on September 17, 2019. (Photo by Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD / AFP) (Photo credit should read KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images 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. MORE FOR YOU WWE Extreme Rules 2021 Results: Winners, News And Notes As Roman Reigns Beats The Demon The World’s Highest-Paid Soccer Players 2021: Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo Reclaims Top Spot From PSG’s Lionel Messi The Good, Bad And Ugly From The Green Bay Packers’ Win Over The San Francisco 49ers 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 Premier PINC League and looks out of place. AMSTERDAM – Erik ten Hag and Lisandro Martinez after winning the championship against Heerenveen in .

. . [+] the Johan Cruijff ArenA on May 11, 2022 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

ANP OLAF KRAAK (Photo by ANP via Getty Images) ANP via Getty Images 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 UEFA EFA 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. Liam Canning Editorial Standards Print Reprints & Permissions.