Ten (Cafe) Hag's at the wheel

[miller0863]

They’re gonna win the leeeeeeeague!!!!


Manchester United have completed the signing of Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez from Ajax in a deal worth up to 67m euros (£57m).

United manager Erik ten Hag was keen to be reunited with the 24-year-old, who he signed for Ajax in 2019.

He joins the club on a five-year contract which keeps him at Old Trafford until 2027, with the option of a further year.

"It's an honour to join this great football club," Martinez said.

"I've worked so hard to get to this moment and, now that I'm here, I'm going to push myself even further."

The centre-back is United's third signing of the summer following the arrivals of Christian Eriksen on a free transfer and Dutch full-back Tyrell Malacia.

Efforts continue to lure Frenkie de Jong to Old Trafford from Barcelona.

[Insidious]

Interesting to see how he does in the Premier League as he is 5'9.

He may be a Cannavaro type where he makes his lack of physical stature redundant through being brilliant.

Or he may get bullied.

Don't have long to wait to find out.

[faridtoxteth]

Mascherano did alright didn't he. Although that was in a slower league that didn't hoist long balls into the box and his team used to have about 80% possession.

[miller0863]

Aye, bit of a different scenario playing CB for Utd and Barcelona.

[Insidious]

Mascherano did alright didn't he. Although that was in a slower league that didn't hoist long balls into the box and his team used to have about 80% possession.

Take your point but very different circumstances.

Martinez can be utilised as a defensive mid so we'll see how they use him, though I do think he has been brought as a centre-back.

He's good in the air to be fair to him - some shorter players are (Thiago!) but I am intrigued to see him against the likes of Haaland, Núñez, Kane etc - who knows, perhaps he'll thrive on the challenge.

Also anyone who has to partner Maguire - eeeesh, what a challenge.

More interested in seeing how Arsenal do though - they may not be "quite there" yet but I do hope they can break into the Top Four at some stage - the "rival" (hardly) side that least annoy me and it would take the spot off someone else to slow their progress.

[Insidious]

James Robson
@jamesalanrobson

Benni McCarthy appointed striker coach at #mufc
Darren Fletcher also given permanent coaching role along with existing technical director position.
McCarthy will provide much-need specialised coaching for Rashford/Martial.

Doesn't exactly scream "success" but we'll see what happens. They really need a centre-forward regardless of the presence of Ronaldo and they'll only become harder to acquire if they miss the Champion's League spots again.

They'll have one of the better squads to win the Europa League though, which may be their way back in.

[Insidious]

TeamViewer, has decided it does not want to renew its sponsorship deal with Manchester United - despite having only signed a five-year deal last year.

The German software company signed a deal worth £235m in March 2021 to replace Chevrolet on the torso of the Man United jerseys. TeamViewer's share price has dipped more than 70% since the company's partnership with Man United was announced in March 2021.

Upon signing the deal last year, shareholders were not pleased and were put off by the impact the mega-money contract would have on company profits. Several reports in Germany say financial analysts were critical of TeamViewer's agreement with Man United from the off.

[justme]

Its weird how they wish to keep Ronnie just because of the shirt deals in the far east..

[ianlfc]

You know what they say. No matter how bad things get, there's always someone worse off than you !!

[Nineteenx]

"Tra la lal la lal la lal la laaah Eric's at the wheel, at the wheel, Eric's at the wheel"

At least there was some plus point to this weekend after our poor midfield recruitment was shown up for the disaster it has been yesterday