Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has expressed his excitement over the club’s new signing Lisandro Martinez.
The Ajax defender has completed his move for £46 million and is on course for a reunion with Erik ten Hag. Martinez will be United’s third signing this summer after Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen.
While a lot has been spoken about the incoming defender, Martinez does possess an absolute versatility which will help Ten Hag who has already coached the defender.
Martinez a natural center-back can also ply his trade as a left-back. United therefore, fend-off stern competition from Arsenal to strike a £46 million deal for the 24-year-old.
Ferdinand gives his assessment of Lisandro Martinez
The Red Devils’ fans have been yearning for a new full-back since Luke Shaw has consistently disappointed to deliver the robust performances.
It seems they finally have gotten one in Martinez, who according to Ferdinand only ‘gets better’.
The former defender while speaking on his YouTube channel Vibe with Five said, “The more I’ve looked into him and the vibes and the stories I’m hearing and the mutterings from different people – it gets better.”
Ferdinand further added, “I listened to an interview with Jurrien Timber, the young player that United were looking to sign, the centre back Martinez played alongside at Ajax.”
“‘He was saying, ‘When I’m not on my game and a bit out of concentration, Martinez always shouts at me, he always swears at me in in his language and gets me going.”
The six-time Premier League winner was also among those who called for United to add players with ‘character’ to their team.
“I’ve been shouting about the character element for a long time and from what I’m hearing from various people, Timber being one of them, is that he has the character,” said Ferdinand.
“He’s a leader. He [makes] demands of other people and he’s somebody who wants to get physical and very aggressive but who can also play.”
However, despite heaping praise on Martinez, Ferdinand has one concern about the 5’9 defender. “If you’re going to ask is there any question marks about him, I think it would be his height and his pace would be the only two,” revealed the 43-year-old.
Martinez has flown to England to completed his move to United as confirmed by his agent. It is still unclear however whether the Argentine will be able to join United on their preseason.