Manchester United finally complete £46million Lisandro Martinez transfer as Ajax defender is reunited with Erik ten Hag

Manchester United have finally announced the arrival of Lisandro Martinez from Ajax, in a transfer worth an initial £46million.

The Argentine defender has signed a five-year contract at Old Trafford, with the option of a further year, to be reunited with his old Amsterdam coach Erik ten Hag.

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Man United first announced they had reached an agreement to sign Martinez well over a week ago on July 17, with fans made to wait to see the summer signing in a Red Devils shirt.

The versatile 24-year-old was signed too late to join the team on their pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia, and made his first appearance at the club's Carrington training ground on Tuesday.

Martinez was accompanied by fellow summer arrival Christian Eriksen, who was formerly unveiled as a Man United player later the same day, meaning it was only a matter of time before the defender was announced too.

And supporters didn't have to wait too much longer, with Martinez finally announced on Wednesday afternoon.

“It’s an honour to join this great football club," said the new United star, who won two Eredivisie titles under Ten Hag at Ajax.

"I’ve worked so hard to get to this moment and, now that I’m here, I’m going to push myself even further.

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“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.”

New United boss Ten Hag knows Martinez well from his tenure at Ajax, with the Argentine one of his key players at the Eredivisie giants before he left for the Red Devils this summer.

The Dutchman was clearly keen to reunite with the versatile defender, who made 36 starts in all competitions under him last season.

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Premier League rivals Arsenal were also keen on the 24-year-old and had two bids rejected by Ajax, but it is understood Martinez only wanted to go to United.

The Argentina international played a starring role in Ajax’s back-to-back Eredivisie title wins, where he played in a number of positions, including centre-back, left-back, and centre-midfield.

It remains to be seen where he will play most often in United’s first XI.

Standing at 5ft 9in, many have commented on the prospect of him going straight into Ten Hag’s back two, especially with a Manchester derby against Man City’s new giant striker Erling Haaland to come, with the Norwegian standing at 6ft 5in.

In fact, Martinez is known as a 'butcher' in his native Argentina, and has won more aerial duels than 6ft 3in United captain Harry Maguire.

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But fans need not worry, as Martinez has already shown the height difference is no disadvantage.

Martinez and Haaland actually went head-to-head last season as Ajax faced Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, and Haaland didn’t get a sniff as Ajax won 4-0 in their only game against each other.

“Ten Hag obviously rates the players he’s going back to Ajax to get, and thinks they’re better than what he’s got at Manchester United,” former Man City star Trevor Sinclair told talkSPORT.

“Martinez is my height, him against Haaland would be like me marking Lukaku with a ball into the box!

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“But Ten Hag obviously trusts he has the attributes to deal with it. 

“He’s a strong player, he’s a good athlete, he reads the game well and the fact he plays in midfield too shows you that he’s technically very good.”

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Martinez is Man United's third signing of the Ten Hag era, following the arrivals of Eriksen and another player from the Dutch top flight - Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord.

But the Red Devils are not done yet, with the club still chasing deals for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong and Brazilian winger Antony - two more players who Ten Hag coached at Ajax.