Troy Deeney believes Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is only “convinced about” Lisandro Martinez in defence
Birmingham City star Troy Deeney believes Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is only “convinced about” Lisandro Martinez. The English striker feels the Argentine is the only defender the Dutch manager trusts.
Martinez signed for the Red Devils in the recent transfer window from Ten Hag’s former club Ajax. The duo found success together in Amsterdam. And the Argentine has been a vital member of the Dutch manager’s starting XI this season.
Speaking to The Sun (h/t Metro), Deeney, who spent time in the Premier League with Watford, claims he has been impressed with Ten Hag at United so far. However, the 34-year-old feels there are questions surrounding the Red Devils’ backline.
“I like what I see from Erik ten Hag so far but it is clear that he has grave reservations about his backline with Lisandro Martinez the only defender he is entirely convinced about.”
Martinez was signed by Ten Hag from Ajax in the summer of 2019. And the Argentine immediately established himself in the Dutch manager’s team with the Eredivisie outfit.
Martinez and Ten Hag won multiple trophies together, including back-to-back league titles in the 2020/21 and 2021/22 campaigns.
The Dutch manager subsequently joined United at the end of last season. And the Argentine followed him to Manchester. Martinez has featured in every game in all competitions for the Red Devils in the current campaign. And the 24-year-old has started in all eight of our Premier League games.
Ten Hag initially had a shaky start as United manager. The Red Devils lost their first two competitive fixtures of the current campaign against Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford.
However, the Dutch manager has managed to turn things around. Harry Maguire has been dropped from the starting lineup and Raphael Varane has partnered with the former Ajax defender in the backline. Since then, we have looked more secure in defence.
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Hopefully, Ten Hag can find the right partner for Martinez and help us compete with the best. Hopefully, the duo will find the same success at the Old Trafford side as they did in Holland.
