Who will take Lisandro Martinez’s spot against Barcelona?

Lisandro Martinez will be suspended for Man Utd’s first leg against Barcelona. (Image: Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Image)

Since his arrival at Old Trafford, Lisandro Martinez has fast become a fan favourite at Man Utd. His importance to Erik ten Hag was obvious almost immediately, as he sanctioned his purchase from Ajax this summer to upgrade the backline.

The reason? Martinez is a left-footed centre-back which is incredibly important to how the Dutch manager wants his side to play. He told United’s internal media when he first joined: “Because the left-footed are better orientated on the left side, in possession you then have better angles.”

However, the final group stage match of the Europa League presented Ten Hag with a dilemma. Martinez picked up a yellow card meaning he would be suspended for the club’s knockout match, and who else would they draw but Barcelona.

It was not obvious who would replace Martinez in the line-up but as the Premier League season resumed the Argentinian inadvertently provided the answer. While away celebrating his World Cup win, Ten Hag had to find a solution and with Victor Lindelof ill and Harry Maguire recovering from an injury he settled on Luke Shaw.

Though he had played the role as part of a three under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Shaw had never played as a centre-back in a two before he lined up there against Nottingham Forest.

However, he impressed with a composed performance in and out of possession and then he continued this form into the game against Wolves. Ten Hag said after the Forest game that it seemed like he had played there his entire life.

Given how important it is that his left centre-back is left-footed, it seems that Shaw may resume his duties in the position when United face up against Xavi’s Barcelona side in February.

He will have a hard task on his hands however as he will likely have to defend both Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski to see his side progress to the next round of the competition.

source: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/