Lisandro Martinez Will Be The Premier League's Shortest Centre Back If He Joins Man Utd

Lisandro Martinez will be the shortest centre back in the Premier League if he chooses to join Manchester United this summer - standing at five foot nine.

The Ajax defender has been linked with a move to Old Trafford and he is reportedly keen to link up with former manager Erik ten Hag.

United have tabled a £43 million bid with add-ons, but the Dutch giants are adamant on £50 million up front.

Martinez is cultured on the ball and boasts an incredible understanding of the game. However, the 24-year-old's height has been questioned by some given the size of strikers in England.

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The Argentina international, for context, will be eight inches shorter than Bournemouth frontman Kieffer Moore and Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland. Both strikers are six foot five and among the biggest in England.

Eight strikers in the league are six foot three or taller and there are a few who are six foot two.

All this points towards Martinez being at a huge disadvantage. Think again.

Martinez won 79 aerial duels last season, which is four more than United captain Harry Maguire who is six foot three.

In fact, he came up against Haaland in the Champions League when Haaland played for Borussia Dortmund. Martinez played 90 minutes in both group games last campaign and Ajax won 3-1 and 4-0 respectively.

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Darwin Nunez, Liverpool's new talisman, faced Ajax with Benfica and scored the winner from a corner after getting ahead of Martinez's centre back partner Jurrien Timber.

Martinez can also play in central defensive midfield and those qualities mean United will be able to keep possession at the back.

All other metrics that you would associate with a defender read well, including tackles and interceptions. The former Newell's Old Boys man was ranked as the second-best in the Eredivise last season as Ajax won the title by two points.

Arsenal have express an interest in Martinez too, but his preference is a reunion with ten Hag.

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United sealed the signature of Tyrell Malacia last week and he is expected to challenge first-choice left-back Luke Shaw.

Christian Eriksen has verbally agreed to join the Red Devils and discussions continue with Barcelona for Frenkie de Jong.

Last season saw United come sixth with 58 points, their lowest-ever Premier League points tally.

They return to league action on August 7 against Brighton & Hove Albion.