Why Paul Merson has criticised Manchester United for completing Lisandro Martinez transfer

Former Arsenal and England midfielder Paul Merson has accused Manchester United of being "lazy" in their decision to reunite centre-back Lisandro Martinez with manager Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.

United, who will be aiming to make a winning start to their Premier League campaign when they welcome Brighton to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, were desperate to strengthen their central-defensive options this summer and Ten Hag quickly identified Martinez as his top target. The Argentine excelled at Ajax last season, scooping their Player of the Year award.

Also capable of playing at left-back and in defensive-midfield, the 24-year-old is naturally left-footed, meaning he offers something different to the rest of United's current centre-back options, all of whom are right-footed. He made his first appearance in United colours on Sunday, starting the 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano, just four days after finalising his £56.7million move to Old Trafford.

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But although Martinez's switch to England will have been made easier by having a familiar face in Ten Hag to rely on for support, Merson has questioned the Reds' decision to sign the Argentina international. He has made it clear that he is not a fan of managers signing players just because they know them from previous jobs.

"I'm not a great lover of managers coming in and buying players from their old clubs – it's a bit lazy," Merson told Sportskeeda. "Dutch football and English football are like chalk and cheese, and it's going to be difficult for Lisandro Martinez.

"We've seen it before with Sebastien Haller – he was brilliant for Ajax, and he couldn't score a goal in the Premier League."

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