Manchester United are on the verge of agreeing a deal to sign Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez, The Telegraph report.
Talks are ongoing over a £46 million deal, which would see Martinez become United’s second most expensive centre-back signing of all time, behind Harry Maguire.
This deal is going to play an absolutely instrumental role in Erik ten Hag’s rebuild, showing he wants to shake up the club’s defensive options and change the playing style.
It would have been easy to rely on the talented quartet of Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly, who as individuals, all have their merits. But as a unit, they have not been good enough. Ten Hag is planning to shake it up.
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Martinez could be a crucial signing
United’s defence conceded 58 goals in 38 league games last season, and awful return, the worst in the club’s Premier League history, and for added context, more than Burnley – who were relegated.
Ten Hag is choosing to make a major change, and Martinez represents this in two distinct ways which will alter Manchester United’s playing style.
Martinez would become United’s most aggressive and proactive defender in terms of style. His idol is Gabriel Heinze, which speaks for itself in terms of how he relishes the physical battles.
FBRef rank him in the top 2 per cent of defenders for tackles won per 90
Concerns about his height are overblown. At 5ft9″ he has a big leap, anticipates challenges early, and won 3.3 aerial duels per game last season, per WhoScored, more than any Manchester United player.
The trio of Maguire, Varane, and Lindelof are almost ‘too nice’. Martinez would be more like Sergio Ramos in style, to complement Varane. He would bring more balance to the defence.
United’s best defensive partnership in recent years was Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. United have players in the Ferdinand mould, but none like Vidic. Martinez would fill this void.
Martinez an outstanding passer
The area of Martinez’s game where he will have the biggest impact is his ability on the ball. This really will change Manchester United for the better, as Erik ten Hag already knows how to utilise this for the good of the team.
Martinez’s passing numbers are elite. Per FBRef, he ranks in the top 1 per cent of defenders in Europe for number of passes completed per 90, and total passing distance.
He also ranks in the top 1 per cent for defenders passing the ball into the final third, and through balls, and top 2 per cent for passes into the penalty area.
The majority of these passes are on the ground, rather than long balls, and he averages 1.38 shot creating actions per 90, outstanding for a centre-back.
Martinez is strong under pressure, ranking in the top 6 per cent for successful passes under pressure.
He is also particularly strong at dribbling the ball out of defence, ranking in the top 1 per cent for total and progressive carrying distance, and the top six per cent for successful dribbles.
Erik ten Hag can continue his development
Erik ten Hag signed Martinez as a replacement for Matthijs de Ligt, and he has arguably become an even more complete centre-back than the Juventus star.
Ten Hag can help Martinez to continue his development as a player, and the defender will help his manager at this new club.
The importance of bringing in a trusted individual is also crucial for Ten Hag, amid a dressing room which was supposedly fractured last season. Martinez is a player he knows won’t turn against him.
Ten Hag knows exactly how he wants to play, and while most of United’s players will be learning on the job, Martinez already is well aware of the demands of his new manager.
This is why Martinez could be a crucial signing for Erik ten Hag as he looks to turn Manchester United around and rebuild the team his way.
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