“The more I’ve looked at him … the better”: Rio Ferdinand expresses his enthusiasm for the incoming signing of Man United Lisandro Martinez, as he praises the defender as “leader” and highlights the “character” of a man of £ 46 million.
- Lisandro Martínez left for the United Kingdom to finish his move to Manchester United
- The defender will sign for £ 46 million and will meet with former Ajax coach Erik ten Hag.
- Rio Ferdinand has positively assessed the arrival of the Red Devils
From Daniel Davis for Mailonline
Posted: 07:30, 16 July 2022 | Updated: 8:42 AM, July 16, 2022
Rio Ferdinand has praised Manchester United’s incoming signing Lisandro Martinez, and has admitted that his rating “improves” with everything he hears about him.
The Ajax defender has flown to the UK after boarding a plane last night and is expected to seal paperwork before officially completing his transfer to Old Trafford.
Sportsmail revealed earlier this week that the Red Devils had successfully accepted the structure of the deal, and that the transfer will cost about £ 46 million in total.
Rio Ferdinand has expressed his enthusiasm for the incoming signing of Man United Lisandro Martínez
Former United Ferdinand defender praised the £ 46million central “character”
Martinez has previously played for United boss Erik ten Hag, having been an integral part of his defense during his time full of trophies together in Amsterdam.
United fans have struggled to hide their excitement at the imminent arrival, and Ferdinand has also been left with a positive impression of the 24-year-old.
“The more I’ve watched it, the vibrations and stories I’m hearing and the murmurs of different people, the better,” Ferdinand told Vibe with Five.
Martinez was photographed going to the UK last night with his representative to close the deal
“I overheard an interview with Jurrien Timber, the young player United wanted to sign, central Martinez played alongside Ajax.
“He would say, ‘When I’m not in my game and a little out of concentration, Martinez always calls me, always swears at me in his language and makes me leave.’
“I’ve been shouting about the character element for a long time and from what I’m hearing from several people, Timber is one of them, it’s that he has the character.
‘He’s a leader. He [makes] demands of others and he is someone who wants to be physical and very aggressive but who can also play. ”
The center-back will reunite with Erik ten Hag (R) after his stay at Ajax.
Martinez was photographed on social media with his representative Cristian Bragarnik on a flight home from his new club, with the caption: “Heading to Manchester @lisandromartinez.” Translated into English, it says “Towards Manchester”.
The versatile defender missed training on Thursday with both clubs working hard to resolve the specific structure of his transfer, which is almost over.
He has his critics, however, with his lack of height potentially a problem for United.
Martinez took a step closer to Old Trafford after the clubs finally reached an agreement
Ferdinand has admitted to being worried about his 5’9 ’box, which means Martinez is much smaller than most Premier League central defenders.
“If you’re wondering if there’s any doubt about him, I think it would be his height and his pace would be the only two,” Ferdinand added.
Martinez will become United’s third arrival, after Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen.