Manchester United have been hit with terrible information a few key participant final week after they came upon Lisandro Martinez is about to be out of motion for the remainder of the season.
Dropping the Argentine is a large blow for Ruben Amorim, given his significance in possession, notably in United’s build-up play.
The Argentine performs a mean of 6.01 progressive passes and 1.18 progressive carries per sport this season, rating him within the prime 7% and prime 14% of defenders respectively, as per FBref. He’s important to Amorim’s aspect in how they progress play from deeper areas.
With the switch window now shut, the Pink Devils must seek for an in-house answer to switch Martinez. One of many candidates is Luke Shaw.
Why Shaw might substitute Martinez
As soon as described as “one of the best left again within the nation” by United legend turned Sky Sports activities Pundit Gary Neville, there is no such thing as a doubting Shaw’s potential. Nevertheless, he has struggled for any sort of availability this season, with accidents affecting him as soon as extra.
Sadly, the England worldwide, who went to Euro 2024 over the summer season, has managed simply three appearances in the course of the 2024/25 marketing campaign.
He’s but to play in 2025, along with his final sport on the first of December, a incredible 4-0 win for the Pink Devils.
When it comes to his suitability at left centre-back, that is really one thing Shaw has performed loads of occasions throughout his United profession to this point, primarily below Erik ten Hag. He has performed 24 occasions at centre-back, and would even be suited to the left of a again three, given he typically tucks into centre-back when taking part in as a left-back.
The largest concern with Shaw changing Martinez is his harm document. He has actually struggled to remain match this season. It has been an issue all through his profession, however the 2024/25 marketing campaign has been notably unhealthy. Even now, Chris Wheeler stories he has suffered one other quick harm setback, to extend his frustration at being sidelined.
As a substitute, to protect Shaw’s longevity in a United shirt, that would lead Amorim to start out one in every of his new signings to switch Martinez.
The participant who might substitute Martinez
The participant in query right here is new Pink Devils centre-back Ayden Heaven. The Arsenal academy graduate made the transfer from the Gunners to Outdated Trafford on the finish of the January switch window, for a reported charge of round £1.5m.
The 18-year-old solely ever performed as soon as for the primary crew below Mikel Arteta on the Emirates Stadium. His skilled debut and his solely aggressive senior look thus far got here towards Preston North Finish within the Carabao Cup fourth spherical.
He has been on the bench just a few occasions for the Gunners, nonetheless, together with for his or her 2-0 win over United within the Premier League earlier within the season. Given how laborious it’s to interrupt into an Arsenal defence that features the likes of Gabriel and William Saliba, it’s comprehensible that extra common minutes weren’t on the desk.
The important thing factor that the London-born starlet might convey to the United aspect is development from the again, which is precisely what they’ll lose in Martinez’s absence. His in-possession potential was described as “incredible” by soccer analyst Ben Mattinson, who has additionally famous his “extremely distinctive” profile.
The 18-year-old is definitely a midfielder by commerce. Which means that the power he has to progress play ahead and carry the ball out of defence, one thing Martinez has performed so effectively this season, may have been discovered from a extra superior position.
Certainly, that was on present throughout one in every of Arsenal’s pre-season video games towards a Premier League opponent. Bournemouth have been on the receiving finish of that spectacular Heaven efficiency. That day, as per Sofascore, he accomplished 88% of his passes and 4 out of eight lengthy balls.
|
Heaven stats vs. Bournemouth in preseason |
|
|---|---|
|
Stat |
Quantity |
|
Touches |
59 |
|
Move accuracy |
88% |
|
Passes accomplished |
46/52 |
|
Lengthy balls accomplished |
4/8 |
|
Floor duels received |
2/3 |
|
Aerial duels received |
1/1 |
|
Clearances |
3 |
|
Stats from Sofascore |
|
Heaven might be the precise answer United are on the lookout for as their Martinez alternative. The membership has a wealthy historical past of giving younger gamers a platform to develop and present their abilities, and he’s a Hale Finish graduate somewhat than a Carrington product, the identical definitely applies.
This might be an enormous probability for Heaven to showcase his abilities and show he is usually a common starter in Martinez’s absence.
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