Ten Hag Says Lisandro Begged Him to Join Man Utd to Avoid Arsenal Move

• Lisandro Martinez was a top transfer target for Premier League clubs during the summer
• Arsenal was believed to be in advanced talks to sign him before he moved to Man United
• It has now emerged that the defender made a formal request to Ten Hag to join United instead

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has disclosed that Lisandro Martinez begged him to join the Red Devils to avoid signing for Arsenal.

The World Cup-winning defender was a top transfer target for Premier League clubs during the summer.

Arsenal was among the teams he was widely linked with before he sealed a move to Old Trafford in a deal worth £57million.

According to Metro UK, it was the Gunners who had made the strongest push to sign the 24-year-old, with talks getting to an advanced stage.

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However, United eventually snapped him up and has since managed to forge a formidable partnership with Raphael Varane.

Martinez wanted Man United move

Ten Hag has now disclosed that it was Martinez who phoned him and requested him to make an offer so he could move to Old Trafford and avoid Arsenal.

"It was Martinez himself who wanted to leave Ajax. If we had not taken him, he would have gone to Arsenal. They wanted him anyway;" Ten Hag told Dutch publication Voetbal International.

"Licha [Martinez] called me at one point and said, “Boss, listen, I’m leaving Ajax anyway. I can sign with Arsenal but if you want me, I’ll come to Manchester United!” he added.

Martinez has enjoyed a significant rise to prominence since his Premier League move and formed a huge part of Arsenal's squad which won the World Cup in Qatar.

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Sports Brief had earlier reported that Manchester United boss Ten Hag opened up for the first time since Ronaldo’s dramatic exit from the club.

In November, the superstar severed ties with the club after an explosive interview with Piers Morgan where he called out several stakeholders at Old Trafford.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner sensationally claimed ten Hag had disrespected him and as such, he did not respect the Dutch coach.