Ten Hag hails new signings Eriksen and Martinez
A "magnificent" Christian Eriksen and "warrior" Lisandro Martinez will bring creative flair and fighting spirit to Manchester United, manager Erik ten Hag said Tuesday as his new-look squad starts taking shape.
The pair join Feyenoord left-back Tyrell Malacia as the Dutchman's three key signings so far as he looks to inject new life into the Old Trafford team after their woeful campaign last season.
United, who last won major silverware in 2017, finished sixth in the Premier League with their lowest points total since the league was launched in 1992.
Danish midfielder Eriksen was signed as a free agent on Friday after leaving Brentford with Argentine defender Martinez joining the club from Ajax two days later.
Ten Hag said the experience of Eriksen, 30, would be vital and his creativity a boon for the front line, potentially spearheaded by Cristiano Ronaldo, although the superstar striker's future with United remains unclear.
"I think he (Eriksen) is a magnificent football player and I think the fans will enjoy watching him, because he's creative, he has ideas," the manager said on the club website from Melbourne, where they are on a pre-season tour.
"I think especially our strikers will also be happy because he's the one who can involve them in the game.
"He's an experienced player. He plays in countries abroad, in Italy, in Holland, a long time in England, so he knows the Premier League. It's an absolute advantage that we have him in."
Former Tottenham star Eriksen's switch to the Red Devils completes an incredible return after his brush with death last year.
Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch in Copenhagen while playing for Denmark at the European Championship and was forced to leave Inter Milan after recovering due to Serie A health regulations.
Fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, he proved his form and fitness during a loan spell at Brentford in the second half of last season.
Martinez, 24, joined from Ten Hag's old club Ajax, subject to a medical, player terms and UK visa requirements, with the manager saying he couldn't be happier.
Ajax confirmed United will pay an initial 57 million euros ($57 million, £48 million) with a further 10 million euros in performance-related bonuses.
"He's a warrior and I think the fans will admire him. He has an attitude, fighting spirit," he said.
"He brings aggressiveness to the game, in a good way. I think we need that. But also, he's skilful and he can deal with the ball and he's left-footed."
Ten Hag said he believed Martinez had the right character to adjust to Premier League football and was familiar with his methods given their time together at Ajax.
"I think the Premier League is high intensity, lots of challenges. We need such players (with fighting spirit)," he said. "Certain ideas, he knows them. That is an advantage, clearly."
While Malacia is on the pre-season tour to Thailand and Australia, which has seen United beat Liverpool 4-0 in Bangkok and Melbourne Victory 4-1, Ten Hag confirmed neither Martinez nor Eriksen would join the squad for their final two games in Australia against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.
"Unfortunately we cannot have them here on the tour, because at the moment they arrive here we will fly back," he said.
"We cannot wait to involve them in our squad and the fans also cannot wait."
(责任编辑:行业动态)
- Republicans on abortion
- Newborn calf looks suspiciously like KISS frontman Gene Simmons
- 美味不止荔枝!化橘红、拖罗饼等化州味道亮相第八届中国荔枝龙眼产业大会
- Guess launches a real smartwatch this time
- 雅安市第四人民医院:工娱治疗让患者康复之路充满希望
- Tesla's big software update includes something called 'Night Curfew'
- Repairs to Verstappen car cost $1.8m: Horner
- Boxing fights for reputation at Tokyo Games
- Ahn confirms 2017 presidential bid
- Unionized hospital workers pull out from strike
- U.S. urges N.K. to refrain from raising tension
- YouTube is bleeding major advertisers because of its hateful videos
- Gov't to allow corporate wage freeze for senior workers
-
How to Backup Your Gmail Account
There are a number of reasons why you might need to backup your email account. You might be changing ...[详细] -
Hamilton rejects 'gamesmanship' claims in Hungarian GP pole fight
BUDAPEST:Seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton said he doesn’t have to resort to “ga ...[详细] -
Gov't to allow corporate wage freeze for senior workers
The government said Tuesday it will introduce measures to allow companies to reduce or freeze wages ...[详细] -
Man United sign Sancho from Dortmund
MANCHESTER:Manchester United have signed England winger Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund on a fiv ...[详细] -
A global problem is preventing the wars in Ukraine and Gaza from coming to an end.
Why do the wars in Ukraine and Gaza grind on, ferociously, relentlessly, with no end in sight and th ...[详细] -
Kubo comes of age as playmaker leads Japan into quarters
HONG KONG:With crucial goals in each of Japan's three group games, Takefusa Kubo is delivering o ...[详细] -
Tebas asks UEFA to revoke action against Super League trio
MADRID:La Liga president Javier Tebas dismissed a Madrid court's decision asking UEFA to revoke ...[详细] -
Syrian table tennis player, 12, content despite defeat
TOKYO:Syria's Hend Zaza -- the youngest athlete at the Tokyo Olympics at just 12 -- said just re ...[详细] -
[Herald Review] Tori Kelly thrills fans, hints her love for Korean artists
Tori Kelly performs during her first concert in Korea held at Seoul, Tuesday. (Live Nation Korea)Ame ...[详细] -
Djokovic loses Tokyo 2020 bronze
TOKYO:Novak Djokovic hurled his racquet into the empty stands and smashed another on a net post as h ...[详细]
[Herald Review] Tori Kelly thrills fans, hints her love for Korean artists
Gwyneth Paltrow and Goop don't really care about your health
- 夜间献血模式“上线”
- Apple finally sends out payments for MacBook's butterfly keyboard settlement
- 创新“川渝智慧监管”新模式 服务民生增实效
- Dressel claims Olympic freestyle crown for first individual gold
- Ruling bloc divided on foreign nannies' pay
- Presidential official blasts opposition for disparaging Park
- Lukaku hopes for 'even more' with Serie A champions Inter