Upon his arrival at Old Trafford, Erik ten Hag decided to surround himself with players he worked with at Ajax or knew from the Eredivisie. Nothing new, actually what coaches often do. Tyrell Malacia arrived from Feyenoord at the beginning of the transfer window, Antony on the penultimate day for as much as 95,000,000 euros, while the Red Devils allocated 57,370,000 European banknotes for Argentinian defender Lisandro Martinez. What’s interesting about the Argentinian is that he almost went to the Emirates instead of the Theater of Dreams.Practically everything was to be finalized, Lisandro Martinez had an agreement in principle with Mikel Arteta. However, something did not feel right. Lisandro wanted to work with Erik ten Hag again and before he was supposed to buy a ticket for the Amsterdam – London route, he decided to call a well-known number and spoil the “already seen” transfer.##NAJAVA_MECA_6900542##The Argentine offered himself to the Dutch expert, explained the situation and let him know that they would cooperate again. Erik ten Hag did not have to think twice. Lisandro Martinez is done with Ajax. He can be his opponent or comrade. It was not difficult for the Dutchman to change the Argentine sweeper’s flight.Erik ten Hag recalled how the story with the world champion went this summer…”From scratch, we returned Ajax to the top of Europe. I liked that project, I had a good time there. Lisandro and I went through that process together. But Martinez still wanted to leave Ajax. If we hadn’t taken him, he would have gone to Arsenal”, said the Dutchman and gave the details of the conversation with Lisandro Martinez.🚨🇳🇱 Ten Hag: “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 European top level. But Martínez himself wanted to leave. If we didn’t take him, he would have gone to Arsenal.” 🔴 pic.twitter.com/WpvJIaqdWJ— UtdPlug (@UtdPlug) December 21, 2022 “They wanted him. Licha called me one day and said: ‘Coach, listen, I’m leaving Ajax after all. I can sign for Arsenal, but if you want me – I’m coming to Manchester United”.He hijacked the transfer to Arsenal over the phone…”Then I thought that I don’t want to shoot myself or United in the foot. That is out of the question. He doesn’t stay in Amsterdam”, stressed Erik ten Hag.
