Manchester United have granted their new coach a costly transfer wish: Lisandro Martinez will continue to play under Erik ten Hag – who has a clear credo.
Among the top 14 of the last Premier League season, only Leicester (59) and Newcastle (62) conceded more goals than Manchester United (57). The record champions had never before been so “holey” in the history of the League.
The defence is one of many areas of improvement that coach Erik ten Hag has been hired to work on – and one that will also fall into Lisandro Martinez’s area of work in the future. The 24-year-old centre-back is moving from Ajax Amsterdam to United for a reported €50 million, meaning he will continue to play for the coach who brought him from his native Argentina in 2019. An agreement in principle was reached between the parties involved on Sunday over the switch. The ink is not yet dry, however, as the medical check and various forms for the necessary visa are still missing.
The seven-time international and reigning Copa America winner, who can also cope in defensive midfield or on the left side of defence, is expected to help put ten Hag’s idea of football into practice. “I want proactivity in all areas,” says the Rangnick successor, who is keen on high defensive chains and pressing all over the pitch.
Lisandro Martinez, named Ajax player of the season by the fans last season, knows all about that after three years together.
He is United’s third summer signing and the second from the Eredivisie: the Red Devils had previously signed left-back Tyrell Malacia (22) from Feyenoord and Christian Eriksen (30) on a three-year contract. Further reinforcements are planned.