United invested heavily in the transfer market this summer but the first bit of business they did was to strengthen the backline, with Tyrell Malacia and Lisandro Martinez among the first signings under Erik ten Hag.
Ten Hag knows both players well from his time in the Eredivisie and he worked alongside Martinez for three years at Ajax, which bodes well for the future at Old Trafford.
Martinez has enjoyed a stellar start to life at Manchester United but now, there are reports suggesting that the Reds could have attempted to sign a different player if Ten Hag didn’t intervene.
That’s according to journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who says that United were keen on Villarreal defender Pau Torres before Ten Hag’s intervention made sure that plan ‘collapsed’.
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“Pau Torres was on Manchester United’s list but then the option collapsed as Erik ten Hag wanted Lisandro Martinez as the priority in that position,” Romano wrote in his CaughtOffside column.
“Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham also explored this possibility but didn’t want to spend €40-45m. Still, I think it’s a very good opportunity on the market; he has experience, quality, left footed … a very good CB.
Torres is undeniably a good defender and his status in the Spanish national team proves that by on this season’s showing, you would struggle to find a United fan who would swap Martinez for the Villarreal star.
Martinez has been impressive and he has immediately endeared himself to supporters – most notably by his colossal performance against Liverpool last month.