2 years ago
How Lisandro Martinez of Ajax might fit into Manchester United's starting lineup if he decides to move to Old Trafford
Lisandro Martinez of Ajax might join Manchester United
Being only 5 feet 9 inches tall, Lisandro Martinez could be mistaken for someone other than a center-back. The Ajax Player of the Year from the previous campaign has carved himself a career shattering the stereotype that center defenders are huge, physically intimidating stones.
Erik ten Hag brought Lisandro Martinez to Ajax in May of 2019 and he has been a crucial player for the Dutch team for three seasons. Martinez served as Ajax's primary ball-playing center-back and played an average of roughly 25 league games every season.
It's time to assess how well Ten Hag would fit into Manchester United's starting lineup now that Martinez has been identified as his main defensive target by Ten Hag, who is also said to be pushing for a reunion with his old manager at the club.
The best kind of defense is an attack.
Martinez easily passes the eye test. Although the Eredivisie is less challenging than the Premier League, the 24-year-poise old's when handling the ball is a pleasure to see.
While in possession of the ball, there is a general awareness of field position, something United's current center-backs, with the exception of Victor Lindelöf, frequently struggle with. Martinez attracts pressure because of his low center of gravity before making space for a forward pass.
The Pitbull or "The Butcher"
Because of his fierce defense, Martinez earned the moniker "The Butcher" among Ajax supporters. The Argentine told Ajax Life that he likes the term "The Pitbull" better because it more accurately captures his underappreciated technical side.
Martinez's game is decorated with a combination of the two moniker. Martinez performs outstanding anticipatory reads of opposing movement for the latter. As a result, the strong defender will ruthlessly search for the interception, playing to his inner "Butcher."
Middlefield adaptability
The McTominay-Fred collaboration is equivalent to Marmite. Some believe it to be the way of the future, while others think it is a significant factor in United's recent decline.
When needed, Lisandro Martinez has proven to be a reliable defensive midfielder and offers versatility in his role. Operating behind Fred and Bruno Fernandes, the Argentine might free up both creators to commit to advancing with the ball.
clear health report
A player's worth is greatly increased by a clean injury record, even though it may not appear in highlight reels. No matter how good Raphael Varane and Eric Bailly are, it won't matter much if they can't consistently play in a defensive line that has just been formed.
There is only one noteworthy injury listed; Martinez missed 8 games from March to May 2022 due to a muscle issue. Otherwise, compared to United's present defenders, the Argentine is the picture of health.
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