Lisandro Martinez could face challenges after latest Man Utd news ahead of Brentford clash
Lisandro Martinez might have a reason to be concerned as Manchester United prepares to face Brentford today.
Erik ten Hag’s Selection Shake-up
Erik ten Hag made waves before Manchester United’s 0-0 draw against Aston Villa by benching his high-profile signings, Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt. Instead, he started Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans, who helped United secure a clean sheet at Villa Park.
Evans Impresses, Maguire Injured
Jonny Evans was named Player of the Match for his performance, while Maguire’s match took a turn for the worse as he picked up an injury that forced him off at halftime, ruling him out for a few weeks.
Ten Hag Praises Evans and De Ligt
After the match, Ten Hag praised Evans for his performance and chose to bring De Ligt on in place of the injured Maguire instead of Martinez, highlighting his trust in De Ligt over the Argentine defender.
Martinez’s Omission Raises Questions
Martinez’s initial exclusion from the starting lineup was already a significant signal, but his further absence from the second half suggests that Ten Hag might be losing faith in his performances this season.
Ten Hag’s Potential Tactical Adjustments
During the international break, reports surfaced that Ten Hag was considering using Jonny Evans as a makeshift left-back, reacting to news that Noussair Mazraoui had undergone minor corrective surgery after experiencing heart palpitations.
Mazraoui’s Return
However, Ten Hag confirmed that Mazraoui is fit and available for selection against Brentford, which means he will likely join Diogo Dalot as United’s full-backs, a common setup since Mazraoui’s arrival from Bayern Munich.
Defensive Dilemma for Ten Hag
Ten Hag now faces a dilemma in his defense. Evans’ solid performance against Aston Villa makes it difficult to justify dropping him from the starting eleven. If Ten Hag decides to replace him with Martinez, it could be risky if the Argentine fails to deliver.
Martinez vs. De Ligt
The introduction of De Ligt over Martinez in the previous game indicates that the Dutchman currently has more of Ten Hag’s trust. However, Martinez may still be seen as a better option against a Brentford side that exploits aerial weaknesses.
Martinez’s Struggles Against Long Balls and Crosses
Brentford has been highly effective with long passes this season, which is an
Lisandro Martinez could face challenges after latest Man Utd news ahead of Brentford clash
