Two Man Utd players who could leave after Lisandro Martinez deal

Robin Bairner

29 Jul 2022 08:46 BST
3 min read

Erik ten Hag, Manchester United, 2022/23 — © ProShots

Lisandro Martinez’s transfer to Manchester United from Ajax is set to be the catalyst for further change in Erik ten Hag’s squad.

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Capable of playing on the left or centre of defence, or even as a defensive midfielder, Lisandro’s versatility is set to be a big asset to the Old Trafford club and will allow them to trim down their squad.

Ten Hag has more typically been preoccupied with adding to his numbers since arriving at Man Utd, but the Red Devils are already well stocked across their defence and the Argentina international adding to a long list of specialised centre-backs that is headed up by Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire. With that in mind, it is an area of the squad that is set to see players depart in the weeks ahead.

According to The Athletic, Martinez’s move to Man Utd is set to spell the end for 28-year-old Ivory Coast international Eric Bailly at the club. He arrived in 2016 as a big prospect from Villarreal but proved prone to errors and injury, and struggled to hold down a place in the first team. Numerous clubs from around Europe are thought to be interested in him, including Jose Mourinho’s Roma. It is stated here, though, that Milan are more advanced on his case.

The second player who Man Utd could move on is 20-year-old right-back Ethan Laird. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Bournemouth and has just a year left on his contract at the club. This could, therefore, be the last chance that they have to sell him for a significant fee. Watford, though, are interested in a season-long loan after the player impressed on the club’s pre-season tour.

More possible outgoings

Beyond this pair, though, Ten Hag must look to move more fringe players on. Axel Tuanzebe, Phil Jones and Teden Mengi are unlikely to have big roles to play in the first team, while on the left of defence Brandon Williams is another player associated with a move. His prospects of staying have surely diminished with the arrival of both Martinez and Tyrell Malacia.

So while the focus at Man Utd is on keeping Cristiano Ronaldo and signing another midfielder, Ten Hag must work efficiently to cut away at an overstocked defence.