Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez(Image: Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images.)
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez is on a top European club's shortlist, according to reports - with fans in the Manchester Evening News comments section offering a mixed response to the claims.
Reports from Italy say that Serie A winners Napoli are interested in a transfer for Martinez. Napoli's sporting director Giovanni Manna is said to be an admirer of Martinez and is not overly concerned about his fitness issues - Martinez missed significant parts of last season due to a serious knee injury which saw him sidelined.
The Argentine joined United in 2022 from Ajax to reunite with Erik ten Hag, in exchange for a £56.7 million fee. Ruben Amorim is a big fan of Martinez, previously saying: "He loves the club, he wants to help the team, he understands the context. Like I said, he's a great character, he's really important in the dressing room."
Napoli have done well out of Manchester United talent, with Scott McTominay being a key part of their title push in Italy in the past season. A departure for Martinez would likely mean incoming reinforcements, with only Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro and the up-and-coming Ayden Heaven to rely on in Amorim's three-at-the-back system, with Noussair Mazraoui filling in at times last season despite being signed as a right-back.
Some fans have said that the club should seriously consider a fair offer for Martinez - pointing to familiar complaints about his build. Reader BayBoy says: "I still feel Martinez is too short for a central defender in the Prem, he has consistently struggled against tall physical opponents, particularly at set pieces. If a bid comes in, I'd say thank you for your service, and add a defender more suited to our playing style to be employed next season."
RedIsRed writes: "Hardly a stunning event if it happens. He is injury-prone so Italy would suit him. Heart of gold but a tad small for a Premier League centre-back. Great character, so I wish him well."
John198 says: "Personally I’d sell him. I like him but he’s too injury prone and has gone backwards since his first big injury."
RociLal agrees: "Would be a good deal for Man United to get rid of a player who is slowly becoming injury prone."
Others reckon he can still be a quality player for United. Trouble4 hits back at the height complaint: "The style next season is aggressive center backs who can play, run forward with the ball, take players on and help in the attack. Sounds like Martinez to me. And I don't have many memories of him struggling in set pieces. I remember a lot of pundits eating their words and apologising for saying he's too short."
AndrewOliver agrees: "One of the very few Utd should hang onto."
On our Facebook page, Malcolm Cowan says: "Utd need to keep Martinez, but not as a back 3 defender, due to his height & lack of pace. He would be better utilised as a partner for Ugarte in midfield due to his tackling prowess, his quality to read the game & danger, plus his deft touch for a killer pass, e.g set up goals for Amad."
Shaun Done writes: "He’s the best defender we have when fit. He cares, which is more than some of them do. Keep him. Also when he's fit, he’s a leader."
Mike D'Andilly agrees: "Best defender we have, was very unlucky with his injury but definitely need to keep him. If Napoli want him whilst he's injured then they know how good he is."