September 25th 2024.
Manchester United had some doubts about Erik ten Hag's decision to bring Lisandro Martinez to the team. It was revealed by a former coach of the club that there were concerns about the Argentina defender's ability to adapt to the Premier League. Martinez had previously played under Ten Hag at Ajax, where he had been a key player in winning two Eredivisie titles and establishing himself in the Argentina national team.
However, despite his successful track record, many pundits were skeptical about Martinez's potential in the English top-flight. They were worried that his small stature would make him vulnerable against the physicality of the league. Even figures within the club shared these reservations, as confirmed by Ten Hag's former assistant Steve McClaren.
In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, McClaren explained that Ten Hag's decision to sign Martinez was based on three factors: his knowledge of the player's abilities, the limited time he had to build a team at United, and his preferred style of play. As a manager himself, McClaren understood the importance of having players who believed in the coach's tactics, which is why he would often sign players he had worked with before.
Martinez, however, did not have the most promising start to his Premier League career. He struggled in his debut against Brighton, where United suffered a 2-1 defeat. But the 26-year-old has since proved his doubters wrong and has become an integral part of the team. He made 45 appearances in his first season at Old Trafford and has continued to impress this season, featuring in seven out of eight games so far.
McClaren, who was also a coach under Sir Alex Ferguson during his first stint at United, recently left the club to become the head coach of the Jamaica national team. He believes that having a few familiar faces in a new team can be beneficial for a manager, as they can help in implementing their style of play. McClaren also mentioned that he would always prefer to work with players he knew when starting a new job.
Despite the initial doubts, Martinez has proven to be a successful signing for Manchester United. His reunion with Ten Hag has been a fruitful one, and he continues to impress with his performances on the pitch. As for McClaren, he has moved on to a new challenge, but his insights into Ten Hag's decision-making process shed light on the complexities of building a successful team.
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