Lisandro Martínez to Manchester United questioned amid impending arrival
Written By
Ernest SundayA passionate sports journalist with an eye for detail.
Manchester United have announced an agreement with Dutch club Ajax for the signing of their talented, versatile player, Lisandro Martínez.
The deal, which is believed to be around €57m plus €10m add-ons, will see the Argentina international player become Old Trafford's third signing after Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen.
The 24-year-old will be reuniting with his former manager, Erik ten Hag, who he worked under for the past three years at Ajax before he was appointed as the new Manchester United manager.
Lisandro Martínez's arrival is considered subject to medical clearance, but football fans are concerned about his height coming into the Premier League as a center-back.
Former English professional footballer Adebayo Akinfenwa believes his diminutive height could disadvantage Manchester United in the Premier League owing to the great height of Premier League strikers.
"I do think a 5-foot-9 center-back is a little bit too small," said Adebayo Akinfenwa in a podcast with talkSPORT. "He do be the one I am going to play on because there would be a physical mismatch! Only time will tell with Martinez. "
Lisandro Martínez won two Eredivisie trophies, a KNVB Cup, and Johan Cruyff Shield in his three seasons at Ajax
While the former Wycombe Wanderers player voiced his opinion, many football fans disagreed, claiming that he had bullied many tall strikers.
Lisandro Martínez, 1.75m, has been compared to many legendary football defenders, including former Barcelona defender Carles Puyol (1.78m), former Real Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro (1.76m), and many others who thrived well despite their heights.
Martnez is also known for his versatility, as he can play as a center-back, left-back, or defensive midfielder, which drew Arsenal's attention before Manchester United jumped into the deal.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was eager to bolster his defense with Lisandro Martínez, whom he was considering replacing Nuno Tavares at left-back before Manchester United snatched him away.
Martnez, 24, will be preparing to start a new chapter in his career when he completes his move to Manchester United, while the club's fans hope for his help in reviving the club after a disastrous run last season.
The former Ajax man will probably face many tall strikers in the Premier League, including Darwin Núñez and Erling Haaland, who equally joined Liverpool and Manchester City this summer.
Tottenham Hotspur captain Harry Kane and Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin are also among the tall strikers Martinez will face, and many will be eager to see how he will handle such heights.
According to statistics from Whoscored, Lisandro Martínez won more aerial duels (3.3) than Manchester United captain Harry Maguire (2.5), which might give him an edge to start ahead of the English defender.