Manchester United are expected to make a move for Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez once they complete a deal to sign Feyenoord’s Tyrell Malacia, according to reports.
The Argentinian international has also been on Arsenal’s radar but manager Erik ten Hag is said to be keen on recruiting one of his former players.
At 5ft 9, Martinez isn’t exactly an imposing figure and fans on Twitter have been debating whether signing the centre-back/fullback is a good idea, considering the physical demands of the Premier League:
Ten Hag knows best. He knows these players better than any of us. I trust he’s making the right decision
โ Muriu (@imMuriu) June 29, 2022
Not seen him play but looks very slight and small for a PL centre back. Not convinced with it myself
โ Steve Pastore (@Spastore1) June 29, 2022
He will 100% be a DM, not CB
โ ๐ฏ๐ฒ 99 Slayer (@NutManning) June 29, 2022
He’s gonna be out muscled
โ Optimus Prime (@MikeBlazie) June 29, 2022
I agree we need to sign players but shouldnโt it also make footballing sense. You want a 5,9โ LCB(Martinez) next to a 5,6โ LB(Malacia) in the EPL of all leagues.. Fans need to really stop and think things like this through before collectively clamoring for a signing.
โ Edwin Hammond (@EdwinHammond7) June 29, 2022
Since Martinez cam play CDM as well might be why we’re in for him. He can produce at the top level either as a CB LB or CDM
โ ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ณ๐ฎ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ช๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ถ๐ฒ (@grzkhlf81) June 29, 2022
Heโs not even our second choice. Not saying it wonโt happen but signing him would represent failure re: priority two.
โ Manchester United Transfer News (@_MUTransferNews) June 29, 2022
If Ten Hag wants him then I trust his good enough. Otherwise the money should be spent on a cdm
โ Red Dev (@Dev99Red) June 29, 2022
It really does depend on where ten Hag decides to play Martinez. As some have mentioned, the 24-year-old has played as a holding midfielder previously, but all of his games under ten Hag last season were as a centre-half.
For that reason, you would have to assume that the Argentine would be brought to Old Trafford in order to play in defence. His lack of height and physicality does, therefore, make signing the player a big gamble.