How Ten Hag’s United defense is taking shape with Martínez
Manchester United have made the signing of Lisandro Martínez official, who returns to be with the coach he worked with at Ajax.
Following the signings of Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martínez becomes the third new arrival for this ‘new’ Manchester United. The Argentine international, who was already seen on Tuesday at the Red Devils complex is committed to the Mancunian entity until the summer of 2027, with the option of one more year. Those at Old Trafford have spent $67 million, and Erik ten Hag has the central defender he wanted.
Ten Hag was the architect of the reconstruction of the team in Amsterdam. A successful reformation in the domestic sphere, and a surprising force in the continental one. Then Ajax saw how several of their key pieces left the ship after destroying Real Madrid and Juventus away from home, but falling in the last breath of the semi-final second leg against Tottenham. The current manager of Manchester United signed Lisandro Martínez for Ajax in 2019. Three years later he has him back.
Almost $300 million in defense
It’s renovation summer at Old Trafford. Manchester United need a good shake up after almost a decade without hitting their expected heights. Sir Alex Ferguson left and nobody has managed since to build a solid defence. Not even despite spending almost $300 million on central players in that time. Ferguson bequeathed a couple formed by Chris Smalling and Phil Jones. It didn’t stick.
David Moyes and Louis Van Gaal passed by, and in 2016, with the arrival of Mourinho, Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelöf also landed at Old Trafford. With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, United broke the bank for Harry Maguire in 2019, and Raphaël Varane last summer. Lisandro Martínez arrives to challenge both players for the starting position. It’s Erik ten Hag’s bet.