Manchester United’s search for a new central midfielder has now taken a turn with reported interest in yet another former Ajax player.
Erik ten Hag is now entering his third summer as boss of Manchester United and now there has been reported interest in one player who was targetted during his first summer.
Just a year after Edson Alvarez made his £35.4m move to West Ham, now United want him to replace Casemiro in defensive midfield at Old Trafford.
This deal would be a controversial one, with many likely to snub him considering it’s another former Ajax player and Ten Hag favourite.
But one man who won’t be turning his nose up at this deal is Lisandro Martinez who previously stated his intention to play alongside Alvarez once again.
Lisandro Martinez would love to see Edson Alvarez arrive this summer
Speaking after his exit from Ajax in 2022, Martinez was raving about Alvarez and even admitted he would like to play alongside the Mexican once more.
“I’m getting a little emotional now because Edson is like a brother to me. In a short period of time, we have built up a close friendship and that will of course continue to exist. But I’m going to miss Edson very much.
“I hope we can play together again soon at a club. Edson deserves these words. He’s a fantastic person.”
Martinez and Alvarez had an excellent relationship at Ajax and even played together as a centre-half pairing on occasions. They won multiple trophies together and so it’s hardly a shock to see that Martinez wants to play with him again.
But does he suit United or would he be another transfer mishap considering Ten Hag didn’t make a proper move to sign him in 2022, despite the Mexico captain making his case?
Does Alvarez suit Manchester United’s needs this summer?
In terms of providing Kobbie Mainoo with a midfield partner who is defensive-minded and capable of doing all the dirty work, United may look no further than Alvarez.
The West Ham midfielder may not be as dynamic a midfielder as Joao Neves or Amadou Onana but in terms of what he’d offer defensively, there may be no better option.
According to FBRef, Alvarez has completed 2.91 tackles per 90 (89th percentile), 1.50 interceptions per 90 (88th percentile), 2.16 blocks per 90 (98th percentile) and 2.79 clearances per 90 (98th percentile).
Alvarez also boasts a solid pass completion rate which should be enough to see him able to help United build out from the back, but he’d absolutely be signed for the protection he’d give to a defence which was far too exposed last season.
