Manchester United are open to offers for star defender Lisandro Martinez as Real Madrid consider a shock move for the World Cup winner.
A number of pundits questioned how diminutive defender Martinez would fare in the Premier League following his £57m move from Ajax in 2022.
While Martinez had starred for former manager Erik ten Hag’s Ajax side – winning back-to-back Eredivisie titles – there was a suspicion that at 5 ft 9 in he could be bullied by Premier League forwards.
That has generally not been the case, with Martinez in fact emerging as one of Manchester United’s better signings in recent years, though that is not saying much given the amount of money that was spent on the likes of Antony, Casemiro, Mason Mount and Joshua Zirkzee.
Martinez made 45 appearances during his first season at Old Trafford, establishing himself as a key member of Ten Hag’s squad and helping United win the Carabao Cup.
Fitness issues restricted Martinez to just 11 Premier League games last season but, back fit, the 26-year-old is once again showing his importance to the team.
Despite his significant influence at Old Trafford, Martinez is not considered unsellable by the Manchester United owners, according to talkSPORT.
The United board have already indicated they are willing to sell academy graduate Marcus Rashford and reportedly hold a similar stance with Martinez.
It is claimed Spanish giants Real Madrid are ‘tracking’ Martinez ahead of a possible move, though their priority transfer target remains Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Champions League holders Real have also been linked with United full-back Diogo Dalot and Tottenham duo Cristian Romero and Pedro Porro.
While Martinez appears to be a potential target for Real Madrid, arguably the biggest club in the world, he has not escaped criticism this season and was labelled ‘a little boy’ after the 3-2 Premier League defeat to Nottingham Forest last weekend.
Speaking on Sky Sports, ex-England midfielder Jamie Redknapp said: ‘He has to be stronger, Martinez. He’s like a little boy. He just gets bullied. It’s a mismatch, he is trying to block him and its a towering header.’
Former Aston Villa captain Gabriel Agbonlahor, meanwhile, recently labelled Martinez as ‘terrible’ and said he warrants more criticism than he has been getting.
‘I feel Marcus Rashford gets a lot of stick,’ he said on talkSPORT. ‘Yes, he has not been at his best, but what about Martinez at the back?
‘What about him? He’s getting beat on corners for set pieces. He doesn’t look comfortable. They talk about the butcher. I think he is terrible.’
Manchester United have just one point from three league games under Ruben Amorim and sit 13th in the Premier League table ahead of Sunday’s derby against Manchester City.
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