Manchester United fans will love Lisandro Martinez’s fighting spirit, says Ten Hag

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Erik ten Hag believes that Manchester United fans will love Lisandro Martinez‘s fighting spirit following the Argentine’s move from Ajax.

Manchester United have agreed a deal worth up to £57m for the South American defender who is set to sign a five-year contract at Old Trafford.

The Argentina international will be reunited with his former Ajax manager and joins Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen as new summer signings for the Red Devils.

Ten Hag signed the versatile left footer from Argentinian side Defensa in July 2019 and the pair won four trophies together, including two Eredivisie titles.

Erik ten Hag explains why Manchester United fans will love Lisandro Martinez

Ten Hag labelled Martinez ‘a warrior’ and he believes the 24-year-old will quickly become a cult hero at the Theatre of Dreams.

Speaking to the club’s website about Martinez’s arrival, the 52-year-old said: “He’s a warrior and I think the fans will admire him. He has an attitude, fighting spirit.

“He brings aggressiveness in the game, in a good way, I think we need that.

“But also, he’s also skilful and he can deal with the ball and he’s left footed.”

United’s new manager believes Martinez has the character and temperament to successfully adapt to the rigours of the Premier League.

Ten Hag added: “I think the Premier League is high intensity, lots of challenges. We need players [with fighting spirit].

“Certain ideas, he knows them. That is an advantage, clearly.

“But also he has to adapt, to a new country, a new club, new team-mates. So also a lot of things will be different.”

Ten Hag confirmed that Martinez and fellow new signing Christian Eriksen won’t be taking part in the club’s pre-season tour in Australia.

“Unfortunately we cannot have them here in the tour, because at the moment they arrive here we will fly back. So that doesn’t make sense,” he added.

“We cannot wait to involve them in our squad and the fans also cannot wait.

“Every year it’s the same as a trainer: you want your squad complete as soon as possible. But also fans look forward to new players and what is the squad and what they can contribute and they want an identification.”