Opponent Watch: Ten Hag says Manchester United superstar is fit for Tottenham clash

Erik ten Hag says Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez is fit for Tottenham Hotspur clash

Lisandro Martinez has been declared fit by Erik ten Hag for Manchester United’s Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

The Argentine centre-back was substituted at half-time in his team’s 1-0 PL opener against Wolverhampton Wanderers. He apparently had a little issue with his ankle, as confirmed by Raphael Varane after the game.

Rasmus Hojlund and Tyrel Malacia are the other two notable absentees from Manchester United’s first-team set-up, but that is well known. Martinez’s inclusion means we can expect to see him partner Varane at the back again.

That means no Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof or Luke Shaw at centre-back. They’re all capable centre-backs on their day but they aren’t quite as good and aggressive as Martinez, who is also an asset on the ball.

Martinez boost for Manchester United

At his latest press conference before the Spurs game, Ten Hag said, via Manchester Evening News:

“He was training, so I think so yeah [if Martinez is available].”

If they have their Argentinian centre-back available for the game, so do we. Ange Postecoglou confirmed in his pre-match presser that Cristian Romero has recovered from concussion and is available for selection against the Red Devils.

It will be a must-win game for Spurs at home against a direct top-four rival, especially after the 2-2 draw against Brentford on the road. The talk will, of course, be centered on the absence of Harry Kane.

But our current stars have to step up and show that Spurs are still a threat without the legendary 30-year-old Englishman. Martinez’s return will make it hard for the likes of Son Heung-min, Richarlison and Dejan Kulusevski to create and score.

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In his only game against us so far, Martinez put in a solid display at the back to keep a clean sheet in a 2-0 league win at Old Trafford last season.