Manchester United had been hit with terrible information a few key participant final week after they discovered Lisandro Martinez is about to be out of motion for the remainder of the season.
Shedding the Argentine is a big blow for Ruben Amorim, given his significance in possession, significantly in United’s build-up play.
The Argentine performs a mean 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 may substitute Martinez
As soon as described as “the perfect left again within the nation” by United legend turned Sky Sports activities Pundit Gary Neville, there isn’t a 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 simply three appearances through the 2024/25 marketing campaign.
He’s but to play in 2025, along with his final recreation on the first of December, a improbable 4-0 win for the Crimson Devils.
By way of his suitability at left centre-back, that is truly one thing Shaw has completed loads of occasions throughout his United profession to this point, primarily beneath Erik ten Hag. He has performed 24 occasions at centre-back, and would even be suited to the left of a again three, given he typically tucks into centre-back when enjoying as a left-back.
The largest concern with Shaw changing Martinez is his damage document. 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 significantly dangerous. Even now, Chris Wheeler reviews he has suffered one other quick damage setback, to lengthen his frustration at being sidelined.
As a substitute, to protect Shaw’s longevity in a United shirt, that would lead Amorim to begin certainly one of his new signings to switch Martinez.
The participant who may 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 Previous Trafford on the finish of the January switch window, for a reported price of round £1.5m.
The 18-year-old solely ever performed as soon as for the primary workforce beneath Mikel Arteta on the Emirates Stadium. His skilled debut and his solely aggressive senior look thus far 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 arduous 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 may convey to the United aspect is development from the again, which is strictly what they’ll lose in Martinez’s absence. His in-possession capability was described as “improbable” by soccer analyst Ben Mattinson, who has additionally famous his “extremely distinctive” profile.
The 18-year-old is definitely a midfielder by commerce. Because of this the flexibility he has to progress play ahead and carry the ball out of defence, one thing Martinez has completed so properly this season, may have been discovered from a extra superior position.
Certainly, that was on present throughout certainly one of 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 |
|
Move 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 could possibly 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 moderately than a Carrington product, the identical actually applies.
This could possibly be an enormous probability for Heaven to showcase his abilities and show he could be a common starter in Martinez’s absence.
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