Following a slow start to the transfer window, Man United have announced two new signings in the space of 48 hours.
United’s new manager Erik ten Hag was always likely to poach at least one of his former Ajax talents and Lisandro Martínez has agreed to sign at Old Trafford until 2027. The two clubs settled on a price tag of around £46,5million, rising to £55m with add-ons, with the transfer set to be completed in the coming days.
The deal is subject to medical checks and UK visa requirements, and the 24-year-old becomes United’s second defensive reinforcement this summer after the Red Devils acquired Tyrell Malacia earlier this month.
Since signing for Ajax in 2019, Martínez has mainly operated as a left-sided central defender however he can also ply his trade at full-back and as a defensive midfielder. It remains to be seen whether Ten Hag will opt to utilise the Argentine international in the backline or rather in a holding midfield role.
(Photo by Maurice van Steen / AFP via Getty Images)
United announced Friday that Christian Eriksen had signed on a free transfer until 2025 and the 30-year-old adds much-needed quality to United’s midfield – especially after the departures of Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, and Juan Mata at the end of last season.
Eriksen has 237 Premier League appearances to his name, with 52 goals and 66 assists, and since 2013 only Kevin De Bruyne has created more chances in the English top-flight. Eriksen could deputise for Bruno Fernandes and the Dane may prove pivotal in United’s forthcoming Europa League campaign.
Most PL chances created since the 13/14 season:
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) June 26, 2022
🇧🇪 Kevin De Bruyne – 632
🇩🇰 CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 601
🇩🇪 Mesut Ozil – 558
Most PL assists since the 13/14 season:
🇧🇪 Kevin De Bruyne – 86
🇩🇰 CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 66
🇪🇸 David Silva – 63
Hot property for a reason… 🤩🤩 pic.twitter.com/Rxiom8Aa3p
Although the two new additions were not finalised in time for them to join up with the rest of the squad in Australia, for the first time in recent memory the United manager is being backed with the players he wants to sign.
The futures of United’s prime target Frenkie de Jong and the unsettled Cristiano Ronaldo both remain up in the air. It is possible that one of, neither, or both Ronaldo and De Jong could don the United badge come the start of the season in three weeks. Ten Hag’s men open their Premier League campaign at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on August 7th.
United and Barcelona are understood to have reached an agreement for De Jong, 25, with a reported up-front fee of £63,5million (€75m) and £8,5million (€10m) in add-ons. The deal was restructured in a bid to help the Catalan club pay off £17m to De Jong in deferred wages, however the transfer is being held up by the player’s reluctance to leave nor take a pay cut at the Camp Nou. We are fast approaching 10 weeks since United initially made contact with Barça for the Dutch midfielder.
As already mentioned the future of Ronaldo remains a question mark of huge significance. United’s failure to secure Champions League football for the upcoming season has left Ronaldo open to a move away from Old Trafford, although as it turns out there are no suitors among Europe’s top clubs willing to yield to the 37-year-old’s salary of around half-a-million per week.
Last season’s top five Premier League teams have all added attacking reinforcements during the current transfer window, and whether or not United will recruit a new forward may ultimately hinge on the future of Ronaldo.
(Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
