Manchester United had been hit with terrible information a couple of key participant final week once they came upon Lisandro Martinez is ready to be out of action for the rest 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 median of 6.01 progressive passes and 1.18 progressive carries per recreation 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 Crimson Devils should 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 “the perfect left again within the nation” by United legend turned Sky Sports Pundit Gary Neville, there isn’t any doubting Shaw’s capability. Nevertheless, he has struggled for any form 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 just three appearances through the 2024/25 marketing campaign.
He’s but to play in 2025, together with his final recreation on the first of December, a unbelievable 4-0 win for the Crimson Devils.
When it comes to his suitability at left centre-back, that is truly one thing Shaw has achieved loads of occasions throughout his United profession to date, primarily beneath Erik ten Hag. He has played 24 times 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 report. 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 reports he has suffered one other quick harm setback, to lengthen his frustration at being sidelined.
As a substitute, to protect Shaw’s longevity in a United shirt, that might lead Amorim to begin one among his new signings to switch Martinez.
The participant who might substitute 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 The Arsenal academy graduate made the transfer from the Gunners to Outdated Trafford on the finish of the January switch window, for a reported fee of around £1.5m.
The 18-year-old only ever played once for the primary crew beneath Mikel Arteta on the Emirates Stadium. His skilled debut and his solely aggressive senior look up to now got here towards Preston North Finish within the Carabao Cup fourth spherical.
He has been on the bench a number of 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 exhausting 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 strictly what they are going to lose in Martinez’s absence. His in-possession capability was described as “unbelievable” by football analyst Ben Mattinson, who has additionally famous his “highly unique” profile.
The 18-year-old is definitely a midfielder by commerce. Because of this the power he has to progress play ahead and carry the ball out of defence, one thing Martinez has achieved so properly this season, could have been realized from a extra superior position.
Certainly, that was on present throughout one among 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 |
|
Cross 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 may very well be the precise answer United are in search of 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 reasonably than a Carrington product, the identical actually applies.
This may very well be an enormous likelihood for Heaven to showcase his abilities and show he generally is a common starter in Martinez’s absence.
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