Manchester United’s three summer signings so far have now all officially been announced, and by the end of the week fans will most likely have seen them play in red for the first time.
Whilst much remains for Manchester United to do in the transfer window, with midfield crucially still needing addressing, they have now made three signings.
Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martínez are the three new additions to the squad list at Old Trafford, and they are more than welcome additions.
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Here, UtdDistrict make an early ranking for each one of these new signings out of 10 based on a number of factors.
Tyrell Malacia - 8/10
‘The Pitbull’ has already made his unofficial debut for United, being a part of the group that travelled to the far East on the club’s pre-season tour.
Malacia thoroughly impressed on this tour, with some even believing he should go into the season as United’s starting left back.
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The 22-year-old was signed for £13 million from Feyenoord, a fee which is relative peanuts in today’s market. Yet he has already displayed plenty of quality in just four friendly appearances for the club.
He seems to have a perfect understanding of Ten Hag’s demands for his full backs already. Positionally intelligent, technically excellent, physically powerful with an intensity and a progressive mindset, Malacia is the complete package.
Even if he does not start over Luke Shaw right now, he will undoubtedly push him all the way. With Brandon Williams reportedly available for a £15 million fee, United would have recovered Malacia’s fee with cash to spare.
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Left back was not a position that needed immediate addressing, but United have picked up an absolute gem that improves them in the present and secures their future in the position.
For all these reasons, Malacia gets an eight out of ten rating as a signing.
Christian Eriksen - 8.5/10
Even though his best days are mostly behind him, the signing of Christian Eriksen is an extremely exciting one for everyone involved with Manchester United.
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A free transfer on a wage which isn’t too high, United have truly struck gold with the Eriksen signing. An experienced player who brings tonnes of quality to the squad, he remains extremely determined to prove himself.
The Dane’s positional versatility creates endless possibilities for how United can line up with him, and aged just 30 he still has years left at the top level, especially as a player who’s never relied on physicality.
Eriksen has played in an intense, high-pressing system before at Tottenham Hotspur and whilst United must watch his health carefully, he will be tactically aware of the demands when it is safe to play him
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His health is something crucial to watch after his collapse at last year’s European Championships nearly ending his career and life. He will need to have his minutes managed carefully.
Christian Eriksen earns an eight and a half out of ten, as there are no obvious risks or downsides to this transfer, but quite a lot of potential upside in the next few years and finally seeing him in Red is an exciting prospect.
Lisandro Martínez - 9/10
United’s third summer signing, announced on Wednesday, Lisandro Martínez has seriously exciting potential at Manchester United.
When your nickname is ‘The Butcher’, that’s already some way to introduce yourself to a fanbase, and absolutely everything about the Argentine screams fan favourite.
Every truly great team needs a South American who really gets the crowd going, and Martínez fits that bill perfectly.
Despite his size, he leaves absolutely everything on the line when defending in a way United haven’t consistently seen since the great Nemanja Vidić.
On the ball the 24-year-old is one of the very finest centre halves in Europe, being so comfortable he is even able to operate effectively in midfield.
Being a left footer, he provides great value to United’s build-up through his offering of extra passing angles that right footers do not naturally offer.
At just 1.75m he is quite small for a centre back, understandably a concern. But in spite of his height, he is excellent in the air.
United paid £47m upfront for Martínez with add ons making the fee rise to £55m, can be argued as overpaying, however the player is of such quality that it would be worth overpaying for him.
Coming from Ten Hag’s previous club, where he was the Dutch manager’s best player last season winning Ajax’s Defender of the Season award, he will not struggle to adapt to the system.
Lisandro Martínez has genuinely got the potential to be a Manchester United icon, and this signing earns a nine out of 10 as the club’s best and most exciting summer signing so far.
Topics: Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez, Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours
Yusuf Haq