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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Jonathan Gorrie

Lisandro Martinez hails Manchester United as the ‘perfect club’ despite Arsenal bid

Lisandro Martinez says Manchester United are the “perfect club” for him at this stage of his career.

The Argentine international officially completed his move to Old Trafford on Wednesday, signing a five-year contract and reuniting with former Ajax manager Erik Ten Hag.

Arsenal had also tracked the defender, although their interested waned when the Dutch giants dug their heels in over a £45m asking price. An earlier bid of around £26m had been rejected.

Speaking after becoming United’s third signing of the summer, Martinez said: “It’s an honour to join this great football club. I’ve worked so hard to get to this moment and, now that I’m here, I’m going to push myself even further.

“I’ve been lucky enough to be part of successful teams in my career and that’s what I want to continue at Manchester United. There will be a lot of work to get to that moment, but I firmly believe that, under this manager and coaches, and together with my new team-mates, we can do it.

“I want to thank Ajax and their fans for all the support they gave me. I had an unbelievable time there but feel the moment is right to test myself in another environment. Now I am at the perfect club to do this.”

Martinez was spotted arriving at United’s Carrington training base alongside fellow summer signing Christian Eriksen on Tuesday, with Cristiano Ronaldo also present for talks over his future.

The 37-year-old has asked to leave the club after they missed out on Champions League football but has struggled to find a move.

Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid have joined Chelsea in distancing themselves from reports suggesting they were keen on the Portugal international, who missed United’s preseason tour of Thailand and Australia.

United kick off their Premier League campaign at home to Brighton on Sunday August 7.

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