The lack of athleticism in midfield has plagued Ruben Amorim since the start of the season, and after striking out on Carlos Baleba, he said Mason Mount can be an option.
However, with Mason Mount doing so well, leading the press closer to the opposition’s box, it would be a shame if he had to drop deeper.
With Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte struggling, and Kobbie Mainoo not quite nailing down a permanent starting place, the question of who starts next to Bruno Fernandes is loud and clear.
If Ruben Amorim is feeling brave, he’ll know that the solution to this problem is already on his team. He’ll be like a new signing who’s never played there.
Bruno Fernandes’ ideal midfield partner is Lisandro Martinez
Lisandro Martinez’s last game for United was on February 2, when he was just starting to gain momentum under Ruben Amorim.
The torn ACL that day against Fulham not only ended his season, but gave the Man Utd manager a headache in defence.
Not many at Old Trafford are as good as Martinez when it comes to ball progression, and his leadership quality and aggression are invaluable intangibles.
With Martinez flying in his recovery phase, it is an optimistic prediction to make that he will be back playing by the time the third international break ends in November.
United will have played fewer than 10 Premier League games by that point, so there will still be plenty of time for Amorim to play a tactical masterstroke.
He wants aggression and athleticism in midfield, which Martinez has in spades. He wants raking passes to go with aggression, which describes Martinez perfectly.
Most importantly, he ideally wants a left-footed player to partner Fernandes to unlock the whole width of the pitch with the passing angles. Enter Martinez, again.
The Argentinian has a history of playing there for Ajax, but he’s never played in defensive midfield for United. Fortunately, the defensive midfielder’s role in Amorim’s system is defensive in name only.
Especially if Bruno Fernandes is given positional freedom to fly forward and help in the attack, Martinez makes perfect sense as a defensive-minded midfielder with sparkling ability to break lines through his passing.
Martinez’s long-term future might be in midfield
Not only is Martinez stylistically a perfect fit for the defensive midfield position under Amorim, but it might also end up being his long-term future.
With Luke Shaw’s injuries being managed perfectly by Amorim, the hope is that he makes the left centre-back spot his own.
Then there’s Ayden Heaven, who has merited a genuine first-team role after his exciting mini-breakout last season in tough circumstances.
Between them, United should easily be able to see out this season with one game per week.
Even if Shaw gets injured, United have enough options in defence with Harry Maguire, Tyler Fredricson, and Noussair Mazraoui also capable of filling in.
Therefore, all things considered, putting Martinez in midfield might be what gives a second wind to his career, while also solving Amorim’s biggest outfielder dilemma at Man Utd.
If only he were capable of playing as a goalkeeper as well!
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