Manchester United’s £48m player rated as club’s most valuable player. Jim Ratcliffe must sign a duplicate now.

For years, Manchester United has had difficulty making successful transfers, including during the tenure of current manager Erik ten Hag.

This week, Dutch legend Marco van Basten stated that he believes Erik ten Hag should remain in charge of Manchester United, but also identified his one conspicuous flaw: errors in the transfer market.

Among the players that Ten Hag has acquired for Manchester United, Lisandro Martinez, a central defender, stands out as the most exceptional.

Martinez displayed what Manchester United had been lacking for the majority of the season upon his return to full health during the FA Cup Final triumph.

Erik ten Hag used Manchester United’s FA Cup Final victory as an example of what his squad is capable of when a sufficient number of its star players are at maximum fitness.

The player whose £48 million transfer from Ajax in 2022, Lisandro Martinez, was the one who made the significant difference.

Martinez is indispensable to the multifaceted style of play employed by Manchester United. He contributes both aggression and leadership to the team’s defense.

His true uniqueness and fortitude become apparent with his demise. By skillfully receiving the ball from his custodian and advancing it up the field in a direct and accurate manner, Martinez exemplifies the style of play that Erik ten Hag desires to see his team execute.

United performs more admirably when he is present. The issue is that he has struggled to maintain fitness this season, missing three games due to various injuries and overall performance detriment to the group.

While goalkeeper Andre Onana was acquired with the intention of operating from the back, his most proficient defender has been sidelined for the majority of the season, which has complicated matters.

It’s incredible. Once more, Martinez is available; however, for what duration?

This summer, Martinez will represent Argentina in the Copa America; however, United will want him for more. Obviously, there is an increased possibility of injury aggravation.

If injury rendered the 2023/24 season a failure, Manchester United cannot use that as an excuse once more. When Ineos attempts to injury-proof the squad, the time has come.

Martinez is an exceptional member of the squad who contributes to the group’s success, but United cannot allow another Martinez injury, which is all but certain to occur, to derail the 2024/25 campaign.

Although Manchester United must locate a replacement for Raphael Varane in Martinez, what is truly required is a replica of the Argentine.

Similar to Martinez, United require a center-back capable of breaking the lines with his passes and playing out from the back. He cannot serve as the sole reliance of the team.

Ineos and the recruiting department will likely require two center-backs this summer, and the futures of Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans are also uncertain.

Although it will be necessary to replace these players, Ineos must consider the following: “How would the team function without Martinez?” and recruit a player who is even remotely capable of producing what he can, as this was the true dilemma United faced during the previous campaign.