Aheed Abrar
Erik ten Hag explains decision to substitute Manchester United centre-back Lisandro Martinez early against Brentford
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has justified his decision to substitute Lisandro Martinez at half-time against Brentford. The Dutch manager defends the Argentine’s performance and claims the whole team were poor.
Martinez arrived from Ajax this summer and reunited with Ten Hag in Manchester. The Argentine made a name for himself in the Eredivisie as one of the best defenders in the league. However, there have been concerns from some about the 24-year-old’s height and physicality.
United conceded four goals in the first half against the Bees. Martinez was subbed off after 45 minutes. Speaking via Manchester Evening News, the Dutch manager argued that every player on the pitch had a hard time against Brentford.
“I don’t think it was a tough 45 minutes or more than any other player on the pitch.
“I saw the stats: he won his aerial duels, he won his challenges, he was good in the passing, but he also made some mistakes as the whole team did. I could’ve swapped 11 players.”
Fans felt Martinez was culpable for the third goal United conceded against Thomas Frank’s side. Ben Mee scored after a corner made its way to him. The Argentine wasn’t strong enough in his challenge on the Brentford defender.
Brentford targetted Martinez
It’s unusual for some supporters to see Martinez in the backline considering the disadvantage he holds against taller and stronger opponents. And the Bees targeted that vulnerability. Ivan Toney was put on the Argentine and had the better of the 24-year-old during aerial duels.
However, Ten Hag doesn’t seem to think that’s an issue for Martinez. The Dutch manager trusted the Argentine for three seasons in Amsterdam. The 24-year-old mostly played as a centre-back at Ajax but was also deployed at left-back or the number six position.
United have lost the first two competitive games with Ten Hag in the Old Trafford dugout. We conceded two goals in the opening 45minutes against Brighton & Hove Albion in our first Premier League game of the 2022/23 season.
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There has been speculation of Harry Maguire being dropped from the starting lineup against Liverpool. So it remains to be seen who starts at the back for us against the Merseysiders.
