MX23RW : Monday, December 23 23:37:17| >> :60:1874:1874:

Erik ten Hag excited by Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez deals

Erik ten Hag excited by Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez deals
© Reuters
Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag hails Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez following their moves to Old Trafford.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that he is looking forward to working with Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez at Old Trafford next season.

The Red Devils confirmed the arrival of Eriksen on a free transfer on Friday before announcing on Sunday that they had come to an agreement with Ajax over a deal for Martinez.

The latter starred under Ten Hag in Amsterdam, while Eriksen also trained with the Dutch outfit earlier this year before he joined Brentford on a six-month contract.

Neither player will travel to Australia for the final two games of the club's pre-season tour, with their debuts instead potentially coming against Atletico Madrid or Rayo Vallecano towards the end of the month.

"The fact that we get him, we have him now in our squad, tells everything, because I think we were really selective. It was not the point to get players in, but the right players in. I'm really happy that we succeed with Christian Eriksen," Ten Hag told MUTV.

Brentford's Christian Eriksen applauds fans after the match on April 10, 2022© Reuters

"The expectations are there. That's why we get him. I'm convinced he will fit into the squad and in certain facts of our game, he will help us. I'm looking forward to that.

"I think it's quite good. What do you say? He's an experienced player. He plays in countries abroad, in Italy, in Holland, a long time in England, so he knows the Premier League. It's an absolute advantage that we have him in.

"I think he is a magnificent football player and I think the fans will enjoy watching him, because he's creative, he has ideas. I think especially our strikers will also be happy because he's the one who can involve them in the game.

Ten Hag also branded Martinez "a warrior" when asked to describe the Argentina international, claiming that the defender will bring "aggressiveness" and "an attitude" to the team.

"He's a warrior and I think the fans will admire him. He has an attitude, fighting spirit. He brings aggressiveness in the game, in a good way. I think we need that. But also, he's also skilful and he can deal with the ball and he's left-footed," the Dutchman added.

Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez in action for Argentina in February 2022© Reuters

"I think the Premier League is high intensity, lots of challenges. We need such players. I know from South Americans... I call it grinta. Controlled, aggressive. You need that in your game and with him we have such a player.

"Unfortunately we cannot have them here in the tour, because at the moment they arrive here we will fly back. So that doesn't make sense. We cannot wait to involve them in our squad and the fans also cannot wait.

"Every year it's the same as a trainer, you want your squad complete as soon as possible. But also fans look forward to new players and what is the squad and what can they contribute and they want an identification."

Man United have also signed Tyrell Malacia this summer, with the Netherlands international featuring in the team's two pre-season matches this summer against Liverpool and Melbourne Victory.

The 20-time English champions remain determined to sign Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona, but the deal is allegedly currently at a standstill, with the midfielder still keen to remain at Camp Nou.

ID:490403:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5227:
Written by
Matt Law

Click here for more stories about Erik ten Hag

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Pau Torres celebrates scoring for Villarreal in March 2022
Read Next:
Ten Hag 'vetoed Torres move to sign Martinez'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!