It has been a while since Manchester United’s interest in Ajax’s Lisandro Martinez was a secret; United are in advanced negotiations with the Dutch champions and therefore, a common topic of dialogue is now the Argentine’s style of play.
For most United fans, “The Butcher” is a term that would be the likeliest word association to former Red, Marcos Rojo, due to his no-nonsense style of play and the irresistible tendency to leave a late one on his opponents.
However, funnily enough, Rojo’s countryman Martinez was the one labelled with the nickname in Holland. “The Butcher of Amsterdam” to be precise.
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It came from the centre-back’s gritty and aggressive attitude on the pitch. Similarly to the former United No. 5, Martinez too is not one to back out of a challenge. He aspires to win every 50/50 and recover possession for his team.
That kind of passion and temperament is absolutely priceless in any team – especially one with ambitions of competing for silverware. Those types of players can single handedly inspire teammates without even knowing about it – be it through a won or missed tackle or through backing up a teammate in a scuffle.
The grit was instilled in Martinez while he was growing up in Argentina. His upbringing was far from rosy and the 24-year-old learned how to channel those bumps and bruises into assets in between the lines.
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That mentality is also likely what allows him to be so outstanding at the heart of the defence despite being just 5’9”. In his own words, Martinez “never gave any importance” to the height issue, though some were worried about it initially.
United are discussing a move for Martinez with Ajax with the Dutch side asking for in the region of £43 million for the Newell’s Old Boys academy graduate and it remains to be seen whether Erik ten Hag would use him in the back line or as a holding midfielder – a position of extreme need for the Reds. Reports hint towards the former.
Nonetheless, there are few with more knowledge about Martinez’s strengths and weaknesses than the Dutch manager. He utilized Martinez in both roles for Ajax, first as a replacement for Matthijs de Ligt and then to plug in the hole left by United target Frenkie de Jong when he departed for Barcelona.
“At the beginning of the (2019-20) season, we were looking for a brain for central midfield,” Ten Hag said in an interview at the time. “We knew Martinez had played there but could he do it in Ajax’s system? We tried him there and we saw good things.”
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Though he is an outstanding defender, Martinez can certainly hold his own in the middle of the pitch and United could use a brain for the centre of their midfield next season – particularly an enforcer such as the Argentine, should De Jong sign.
United are reported to be favourites for Martinez’s signature and arguably the best piece of news for Reds fans is that wherever the Ajax man may play if and when he puts pen to paper on a United deal, he has a terrific ability to adapt to whatever situation he is thrown in.
Martinez didn’t have a memorable start to his life in the Netherlands after signing for Ajax in 2019. The Argentinian league is not a bad level by any means, but the demands – especially physical – are totally different to those in Europe.
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“At the beginning, I felt like going home and crying,” Martinez said in an interview with La Nacion, as reported by Sky Sports. “The first few weeks were horrible. Training sessions were completely different. Different intensity. Different control. Different passes. Different reading of the game.”
Typically, by the South American philosophy of football, Martinez is a player that thrives with the ball at his feet. Technically astute, he is the definition of a ball-playing defender. He wants to control proceedings. There is no problem with those traits in Europe, however, the amount of time you have to make decisions is significantly less.
“I’m a player who likes to have the ball,” Martinez said. “But when they played with one or two quick touches, they killed me. It was incredible how off the pace I was. I only began to feel good after pre-season.”
Credit to Martinez’s mental toughness, he never gave in. And it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that such thoughts invaded his mind at moments. Being far from home, not familiar with the culture or language – it couldn’t have been easy. But Martinez persevered. He worked relentlessly, he adapted, and excelled.
The man in question credits his rise to being a student of the game.
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Martinez said: “The club always gives you information but you have to do extras yourself for a new position. I watch football all the time and I observe all players in all positions and look at how they move. I love the details about players.”
Speaking about a player that he enjoys watching most, Martinez named Bayern’s Joshua Kimmich. The German midfielder is not a bad example to model your game on and a style of play of similar ilk would be a very welcome sight at Old Trafford, should the Argentine be deputized as a No. 6.
“When he plays in midfield, I like the calmness he has,” Martinez said. “The way he reads the game, a player has to be intelligent. He has to have confidence, of course, but it’s a game of decisions and you make decisions with your head.”
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Manchester United, Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours, Transfers, Erik Ten Hag, Lisandro Martinez, Ajax, Football, Premier League