Manchester United had been hit with terrible information a couple of key participant final week once they discovered Lisandro Martinez is about to be out of motion for the remainder of the season.
Dropping the Argentine is a big blow for Ruben Amorim, given his significance in possession, notably in United’s build-up play.
The Argentine performs a median 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 facet in how they progress play from deeper areas.
With the switch window now shut, the Crimson Devils should seek for an in-house resolution to exchange Martinez. One of many candidates is Luke Shaw.
Why Shaw might change Martinez
As soon as described as “the most effective left again within the nation” by United legend turned Sky Sports activities Pundit Gary Neville, there isn’t a doubting Shaw’s means. Nevertheless, he has struggled for any type of availability this season, with accidents affecting him as soon as extra.
Sadly, the England worldwide, who went to Euro 2024 over the summer time, has managed simply three appearances through the 2024/25 marketing campaign.
He’s but to play in 2025, along with his final sport on the first of December, a implausible 4-0 win for the Crimson Devils.
When it comes to his suitability at left centre-back, that is truly one thing Shaw has completed loads of instances throughout his United profession thus far, primarily below Erik ten Hag. He has performed 24 instances at centre-back, and would even be suited to the left of a again three, given he generally tucks into centre-back when enjoying 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 studies he has suffered one other brief harm setback, to delay his frustration at being sidelined.
As a substitute, to protect Shaw’s longevity in a United shirt, that might lead Amorim to start out one in all his new signings to exchange Martinez.
The participant who might change Martinez
The participant in query right here is new Crimson 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 The Arsenal academy graduate made the transfer from the Gunners to Outdated Trafford on the finish of the January switch window, for a reported payment of round £1.5m.
The 18-year-old solely ever performed as soon as for the primary group 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 a couple of instances for the Gunners, nevertheless, together with for his or her 2-0 win over United within the Premier League earlier within the season. Given how arduous 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 carry to the United facet is development from the again, which is precisely what they’ll lose in Martinez’s absence. His in-possession means was described as “implausible” 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 completed so nicely this season, may have been discovered from a extra superior function.
Certainly, that was on present throughout one in all Arsenal’s pre-season video games towards a Premier League opponent. Bournemouth had 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 |
|
Go accuracy |
88% |
|
Passes accomplished |
46/52 |
|
Lengthy balls accomplished |
4/8 |
|
Floor duels gained |
2/3 |
|
Aerial duels gained |
1/1 |
|
Clearances |
3 |
|
Stats from Sofascore |
|
Heaven might be the precise resolution United are searching for as their Martinez substitute. 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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