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Manchester United have signed 24-year-old center-back Lisandro Martinez from Ajax for a total fee of £57m. The Argentine has signed a 5-year deal at Old Trafford.
Martinez is said to have chosen Man United over Arsenal due to links with former manager Erik Ten Hag. This is another signing that Ten Hag has played a key role in attracting. Some would say another unproven player from the Dutch League.
Although his reputation suggests he would be a quality addition to a rather weak Man United defense. He was Ajax player of the year last season and featured in a total of 120 appearances over 3 years at the club winning 2 titles. He was definitely an important cog in the Ajax defense.
What he would bring to Man United’s defense is pace. Pace and aggression. Some would say a man nicknamed ‘the butcher’ is exactly what the rather tame United defense is in need of.
Overall, fans seem to be delighted with this signing. A center-back was a priority position that needed to be filled this summer. A few fans (mostly salty Arsenal fans) have raised concerns regarding his height. At 5’9 Lisandro would become the shortest CB in the premier league. Only time will tell if this becomes an issue.
My gut feeling is that Martinez will be a success at Old Trafford bringing much-needed passion, aggression, and leadership to United’s defense over the years to come.