Erik ten Hag transformed Lisandro Martinez from a tough-tackling defensive midfielder into a ball-playing centre-back at Ajax, but might be about to revert that change at Manchester United.
The Red Devils are still pursuing Martinez despite having two bids worth up to £42.2million rejected, with Ajax now increasing their asking price to around £50.7m. Ten Hag is keen to reunite with the 24-year-old at Old Trafford and has just dropped a hint on his plans for Martinez if United can prise him away from Amsterdam, where he's aptly nicknamed "The Butcher" for his aggressive style of play.
While keeping tight-lipped on specific transfer targets during his first press conference of the Red Devils' pre-season tour, the new United manager revealed that his priority positions to strengthen in the summer window are midfield and attack. Supporters were somewhat surprised at that declaration, especially given that Martinez - who Mirror Football understands is ready to force a move to the Premier League - has thrived at centre-back in recent years, rendering him a defender by trade.
However, back in 2019 when Ajax bought the future Argentina international in a £6m deal from native side Defensa y Justicia, he was still a holding midfielder. In The Netherlands, Ten Hag coached him into a more reserved role, with his preferred left foot coming in handy during build-up and making him versatile across the Ajax back line.
Not only do the Dutch tactician's comments suggest which position Martinez would operate in at Old Trafford, but also explains the Red Devils' puzzling transfer strategy. According to the Manchester Evening News, United are prepared to go without signing a defensive midfielder this summer, a problem position which has plagued the team since long-serving stalwart Michael Carrick began to slow down more than half a decade ago.
The likes of Premier League stars Declan Rice and Ruben Neves have been linked, but it seems that Ten Hag will be happy for Martinez to operate as a deep-lying midfielder and a backup defender - should Old Trafford chiefs strike the all-important deal with Ajax and pip English rivals Arsenal.
Given that the Red Devils already boast a plethora of centre-back options, it's no wonder why club legend Jaap Stam also reckons that Martinez's future could be further up the pitch. "Because Martinez is comfortable on the ball he can also play in front of the defence. And I don't rule out that ten Hag will use him there," the former United defender recently stated.
"You can see that ten Hag's approach is clearly to dominate games and to control the opponent's half. When you play with a lot of space in the back and you need players who are reasonably fast and not afraid to cover. Tyrell Malacia has that and Martinez certainly does. The fact that ten Hag wants to reunite with Martinez, a Copa America winner, has to do with his footballing qualities.
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"Martinez is very skilled and creative in his passing. The more players he has like that, the more ten Hag can keep the ball and the less counters they'll face. What is also important for that, especially in the strongest league in the world, is communication and who he might be paired with at the heart of the defence."
Ten Hag certainly agrees with Stam's assessment, telling Voetbal International last season: "[Martinez] can play left-back, left central defender and left controlling midfielder. He has good technique, overview on the ball, duelling power, but he has less walking ability, for example."
