At just 5ft 9in, you would be forgiven for mistaking Lisandro Martinez as anything other than a centre-back. Last season's Ajax Player of the Year has forged a career tearing apart traditional beliefs that central defenders are tall, physically imposing boulders.
Signed to Ajax in May 2019 by Erik ten Hag, Lisandro Martinez has played a key role in his three seasons with the Dutch side. Averaging nearly 25 league games a season, Martinez operated as Ajax’s main ball-playing centre-back.
With Ten Hag making Martinez his top defensive target, while the player himself reportedly pushes for a reunion with his former boss at Manchester United, now is the time to see how well he could slot into United's current XI.
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Attack is the best form of defence
Martinez passes the eye test with ease. The Eredivisie may not be as demanding as the Premier League, but the 24-year-old's composure on the ball is a joy to watch.
There is a general awareness of field position while controlling the ball, an awareness that United’s current crop of centre-backs, aside from Victor Lindelöf, often struggle with. Owing to his low centre of gravity, Martinez draws pressure before creating enough breathing room for a forward pass.
‘The Butcher’ or ‘The Pitbull’
Ajax fans adorned Martinez with the nickname ‘The Butcher’ as a result of his high-intensity defensive work. The Argentine revealed to Ajax Life that he prefers the tagline, ‘The Pitbull’, as it better represents his overlooked technical side.
A mixture of the two nicknames adorns Martinez’s game. For the latter, Martinez makes excellent pre-emptive reads of opposing movement. This then plays into his inner 'Butcher’, as the stout defender will viciously hunt for the interception.
Midfield flexibility
The McTominay-Fred partnership amounts to Marmite. Some see it as the future whilst others identify it as a major issue behind United’s recent slump.
Lisandro Martinez offers role flexibility and has proven himself a solid defensive midfielder when required. The Argentine, operating behind Fred and Bruno Fernandes, could free both creators to commit to driving forward with the ball.
Clean bill of health
It may not feature in highlight reels, but a clean injury slate is a huge boost to any player’s value. No matter the quality that Raphaël Varane and Eric Bailly possess, it matters little if they cannot provide consistent game time in a freshly-moulded defensive line.
Only one notable injury is recorded, a muscle injury that kept Martinez on the sidelines for 8 games across March-May 2022. Otherwise, the Argentine is the poster boy of health compared to United’s current defenders.
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