By: Vincent Wang

On Sunday, it was announced that Manchester United agreed to sign Lisandro Martinez from Ajax.

According to the BBC, Manchester United agreed to pay £57m for Martinez.

Martinez plays the position of center defender, a key part of not only a team’s defense, but helps coordinate the start of an offense. Standing at a mere 5 foot 9 inches tall, Martinez is short for his position.

However, even taking his small stature into consideration, he earned the nickname, “The Butcher of Amsterdam” during his three years at Ajax.

He is known as this because despite his small height, Ajax has won numerous aerial duels, and has high rates of being able to get the ball to the team’s offensive or mid positions.

Speaking of his nickname, Martinez is well known for not being afraid of being aggressive, and will smash into other players and throw his weight around.

“I want to win every 50-50 situation because I know that I am fighting for food for every member of my family and for my friends. That is the feeling I have – and every Argentinian has. It is the kind of motivation I cannot explain.”

In another statement, he claimed that his talent mostly came from his mom as she was an avid football player, and she still plays to this day.

Martinez’s arrival and position as one of the six centerbacks could influence a reshuffle in roles at the back. Ten Hag, Manchester United’s coach, prefers a 4-3-3 position meaning that there will only be two centerbacks.

“Lisandro Martinez is a left-back. That’s where he played for Ten Hag at Ajax. The path seems clear for him to come straight into the team.”