Manchester United

Manchester United: Football Daily pundit delivers verdict on potential signing

|
Image for Manchester United: Football Daily pundit delivers verdict on potential signing

Sky Sports presenter Joe Thomlinson has delivered his verdict on potential Manchester United signing Lisandro Martinez.

The defender has recently been linked with a move to Old Trafford, and according to Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News, the Red Devils have submitted a bid of £37m to Ajax.

Martinez has, of course, worked under Erik ten Hag at his current club. Now, it seems as though his former manager wants to bring him to Manchester United – something Thomlison was certainly left impressed by, taking to Twitter to say: “Lisandro Martinez would be a sensational signing if United can somehow nick him off Arsenal…

“Main positive is also at 5’9″, with 5/6 CBs already at the club and a LB joining (Malacia), I’m guessing he would be signed as a DM for Ten Hag?”

There’s no doubting the fact that Manchester United need to improve defensively next season. They ended the last campaign with just a total of 57 goals conceded. Someone like Martinez could make an instant difference at the back, having been part of a title-winning defence at Ajax.

TIF Thoughts on Martinez…

At 5ft 9in, Martinez’s height may be a weakness, but that’s where United could, in fact, play to Harry Maguire’s aerial strengths. According to Opta statistics (via Squawka), the club captain had an aerial duel success rate of 72.82%.

When comparing both Maguire and Martinez, their different strengths become clear. Martinez is better at progressing the ball, with more forward passes made with better accuracy last season. Meanwhile, Maguire is far better at the so-called dirty work, making more blocks and clearances than Martinez last season:

The fact is, if Manchester United managed to bring the Ajax defender to Old Trafford, they would likely have themselves an ideal partner for Maguire; it could finally see the club captain find some consistent form. We think finding that solid defensive partnership should be the priority for Ten Hag this summer.

Share this article