There have been thousands of column inches dedicated to the race between Arsenal and Manchester United for the signatures of the Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez, with many pundits fully expecting the 24 year old to follow his old manager Ten Hag to Old Trafford.
But now it may look like Arsenal are set for a free run on the left-sided defender with Man United official announcing the arrival of the Feyenoord left back Tyrell Malacia as Ten Hag’s first signing ever as United’s new boss.
An incredible feeling to sign for Manchester United 🤩
Let's enjoy this moment before it's time to focus on the future 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/QxtafL1P9z
— Tyrell Malacia (@T_Malacia) July 5, 2022
Now, we know that Martinez is very veratile and can play left centre-back as well as a wingback, but as United already have a plethora of centre-backs including Harry Maguire and Rafael Varane amongst others, it is unlikely that Lisandro would be needed to cover that position, so it looks to me that Martinez is now surplus to requirements for Ten Hag.
Does that make Arsenal hot favourites to sign the Argentinean defender now? I think it does….
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Ten Hag is more aware of Martinez versatility and how best to utilise him than say Arteta or any other manager. And might have other plans for him in the first team. I’m sure Martinez would rather sign on for first team football, than playing understudy to a half crocked Tierney or Partey…IJS
Maybe Lisandro Martinez is coming to REPLACE the ever-injured Tierney!
100% yes! No club spends that kind of money on a defender to not be first choice. With Saliba coming back, Martinez is surely first choice LB.
Agree! Why should KT be first choice if Martinez is fitter more often and fills the LB position better?
Only time will tell but there is no way MA and the Kronkes’ would spend over £40m for a bench warmer!
I rarley find a player is actually good at two+ positions. They usually only are very good at one of the two they advertise. Since he played the entire last season as a CB i would assume LCB is where he will be best. Should we be spending 40mill on another LCB that can MAYBE do a DECENT job at LB? I dont think thats wise. Let United have him and just find a LB is what I say. Now that we have to fit a Partey replacement into the budget now as well too…
A player who can play centre back and wing back ? Maybe in Dutch football but I seriously doubt that in the premier league. If a player had both the ball skills and speed to operate effectively as a wing back and the physicality and tackling ability to play as a central defender at the pace required in English football he’d be very special. Of course it all depends on what “can play” actually means, sometimes people just mean he’s not absolutely terrible.
It seems that while Arsenal have Martinez slotted in as a left back/ holding midfielder/ center back; where as Manchester United see him as a center back/ holding midfielder/left back.
Honestly cannot see Arsenal prevailing here; not because of some fault in the club, but United need him more and in the end, greater resources tied to greater need will likely tip the field decisively toward Martinez playing his football at Man U.
“Does that make Arsenal hot favorites to sign the Argentinean defender now?”
Errr… Nope!
#COYG