Aheed Abrar
Manchester United newbie Lisandro Martinez details how Erik ten Hag improved them
Manchester United confirmed the signing of Lisandro Martinez from Ajax. The Argentine has words of praise for manager Erik ten Hag as he reunites with the Dutch manager at Old Trafford.
Martinez spent three seasons with Ajax, being coached by Ten Hag. The 24-year-old was one of the critical members of the Dutch manager’s XI in Amsterdam. Now the two will link up at United once again.
Speaking to the club’s official website via the Evening Standard, Martinez spoke about working under Ten Hag at Ajax. The Argentine talks about the importance of the Dutchman in his career.
“I was with him three years at Ajax and I know his style of playing. With him, I improved a lot, to be honest. He’s here in Manchester now, so again the opportunity was there and for sure he’s very important in my [career].”
Martinez signed for Ajax in the 2019/20 season from Defensa y Justicia, a club in Argentine football’s first tier. The 24-year-old went on to feature 118 times for the Amsterdam-based side.
Under Ten Hag, Martinez mainly played as a centre-back but has also been deployed in the midfield and as a full-back. The Argentine has built up a reputation of being a decent ball-playing defender.
Martinez credits his rise to Ten Hag’s coaching. The Dutch manager has been influential in the 24-year-old’s development as a professional.
“[He is] very intense, for sure. Good football. Winning mentality, you know? That’s the most important. Every player needs to have things clear. I think he’s very clear also.
“How did help me to improve? In how we can understand fully the situations, the decisions inside the pitch. He’s there in every detail.”
We currently have plenty of options for the centre-back position. Ten Hag has a few options to choose from in Manchester. Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly are all in the squad at the Dutch manager’s disposal.
Marinez brings aggression and tenacity to the squad. The Argentine is known for his hard-headed defending. The 24-year-old doesn’t hesitate when push comes to shove.
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Ten Hag also has the option of deploying Martinez in a defensive midfield position at United. The Dutch manager has done that at Ajax. We lack a bit of quality in that department. If the Argentine is up to the task, maybe that’s a position he can help us with the most.
