With a bid for Martinez 2.0, Man Utd might complete the first trade since Ten Hag.
The Man United target would be an ideal Varane substitute.
Winners
There’s no denying that this season, Manchester United’s centre back position has maybe been their worst.
Before the Red Devils’ first kickoff against Wolverhampton Wanderers in August, they had seven candidates for the position; however, that hasn’t been the case since.
Fernandes, Ten Hag, Maguire, Premier League, Fulham
Due to a lack of choices, Erik ten Hag has even been forced to put Casemiro at the back. Reports now suggest that the Dutchman will be fired regardless of the result of Saturday’s FA Cup final. Injuries have been the major reason of ten Hag’s collapse.
To help start what may be a new era under a new manager, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has to recruit a new centre back this summer. He is already keeping an eye out for someone who might replace Raphael Varane.
Man United’s pursuit of a fresh defender
Planet Boca Juniors reported that Man United is “willing to do anything” to capture highly-rated Aaron Anselmino, according to sources from Argentina.
It is said in the article that the Red Devils have been keeping an eye on him for some months and that “it would not be strange for [them] to make an offer”—a transaction that would make him the team’s first acquisition after Ten Hag.
The defender just agreed to a new deal with Boca Juniors that would keep him with the team until 2028.
A reported £21 million is all that is needed to sign the young Argentine, which may turn out to be a great deal in the long run.
Perhaps Anselmino is United’s Martinez clone.
Lisandro Martinez, a key member of the Man United team and a fan favourite since joining from Ajax alongside Ten Hag, has swiftly established himself.
Sadly, his injury has made his absence from the game disastrous this season, which is why United finished with a -1 goal differential.
Varane Premier League: Martinez, Manchester United
This season, the number six has started only eight Premier League games while missing an incredible thirty-six games due to injury. Nonetheless, his impact is undeniable since United has won each of his past seven games.
Anselmino, the 26-year-old’s clone, is a possibility for the Argentine to play with soon, however.
The Latest Match Between Anselmino & Martinez
Figures
With Anselmino
Martinez-
Affects
75.
45
finished passes
509
36
Obtain accuracy
94 percent
92 %
Clearances
4.
Two
Strikes
One
One
Battles were won by duel
6/ 7
2/2
via Sofascore
A hamstring injury has impeded Anselmino’s growth, since he hasn’t played much for Boca since making his debut.
Still, expert Ben Mattinson’s assessment of the teenager’s performance in the Copa Sudamericana versus Trinidense shows how “special” he really is.
First and foremost, the 19-year-old’s extraordinary technical skill is evident in his ability to make 59 passes with a 94% accuracy rate and draw 75 touches.
As seen by his 45 touches and 92% pass accuracy against Brighton & Hove Albion, United’s World Cup champion is equally well-known for his skill with the ball. But the parallels don’t stop there.
It sounds a lot like Martinez, but Ben Mattinson describes the right-footed prospect as an exceptionally proactive defender with superb “timed aggression, positioning, and anticipation.”
Jean-clair-Todibo-Lisandro Martínez-Opinion on Tottenham
However, Anselmino is 6-foot-1, which makes him a better partner for his Argentine opponent than the former Newell’s Old Boys academy star. His aerial prowess helped him score the game-winning goal in his most recent game.
Ultimately, with Varane departing the team, this summer offers the ideal chance to sign a young player such as Anselmino, who could be able to secure the right center-back position at United for the duration.
Read also: Just two Man United players make the cut for combined FA Cup Final Xi
Read also: Four reasons why Manchester United have decided to sack Erik ten Hag