Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, has acknowledged that Lisandro Martinez was the one to make the first move to Old Trafford.
The World Cup champion joined United from Ajax in the summer in a €57.37 million deal, one of several notable additions.
Martinez left the Netherlands for United after a remarkably successful period during which he played more than 120 times for the Eredivisie Champions.
Jurrien Timber was initially the target of Ten Hag’s pursuit, but it soon became clear that the Dutch international was not interested in a move to United because the World Cup was approaching and because he needed to accumulate enough club minutes to make Louis van Gaal’s starting lineup.
Attention soon turned to Martinez and the rest is history.
It was initially thought that Ten Hag was the one who poached the 24-year-old defender, but the United coach said things worked the other way around.
Ten Hag told Voetbal International via SportWitness, “If I found it hard to take Martínez away from Ajax? I had such a great time there, the way we build a project. Out of nowhere, we brought Ajax back to the European top level.”
“But Martínez himself wanted to leave. If we didn’t take him, he would have gone to Arsenal.”
Ten Hag disclosed details of a conversation he had with Martinez.
The United manager said the Argentine conferred to him, “Coach, listen, I will leave Ajax no matter what. I can sign for Arsenal, but if you want me, I will go to Manchester United.”
Ten Hag reiterated that if he did not take up Martinez on his offer, he would be shooting himself in the foot, giving Arsenal the golden opportunity to snatch him up.
The center-back and his representatives had decided beyond any doubt that an exit from Ajax would take place.
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