In a week's time, Manchester United will regroup for their first pre-season under new manager Erik ten Hag in what is shaping up to be another seismic summer at the club.
The Dutchman will welcome back a mixture of different players to Carrington, with senior stars who were involved in international duty being granted an extended holiday to offset their national team commitments earlier this month.
It might be a while yet before Ten Hag gets to work with the players he actually views as integral to his plans next season, but that can be no excuse for him not to look at strengthening his squad beforehand.
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United's new manager is already well aware of what needs to be done in the summer window before he meets his players, and with so many areas of concern to address, it makes sense to pursue a versatile player who could help ease multiple worries on the pitch.
The latest name to trend in regards to a potential Old Trafford move this summer is that of Lisandro Martinez, with United looking at alternatives after Jurrien Timber was advised against a transfer by national team boss Louis van Gaal.
United are looking to add another defender to their side this summer given Eric Bailly, Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones could all leave, but the tough ask is to sign one who understands they won't be starting every match, given the reputation of those already at the club.
There is a belief that Ten Hag could transform United's defensive woes through tactical changes and greater protection in midfield, rather than through the means of heavy investment in a new centre-back, meaning any new recruit this summer could well be third or fourth-choice.
Martinez has developed nicely under the guidance of Ten Hag at Ajax since he joined the club in 2019, and made 37 appearances last season before his campaign was curtailed by injury in the final weeks.
All of those appearances came in central defence, most often alongside Jurrien Timber, though it is not the only position he has experience of playing in.
Two years ago, during the abandoned 2019/20 season, the 24-year-old started 22 matches for Ajax in a defensive midfield role, often playing alongside Donny van de Beek as part of their 4-3-3 approach.
In certain matches, the Argentine was tasked with being the midfield anchor, a position United are themselves looking to address this summer, while in others he played a little further forward, with Edson Alvarez occupying the deeper role.
Amid reports Nicolas Tagliafico could leave Ajax two years ago, Ten Hag even cited Martinez as a potential solution to the left-back position had his compatriot left the club.
"It's different for him because of his age," Ten Hag said of Tagliafico. "In preparation, I will try Lisandro Martínez in that position. He has also played in midfield for us, but he is a defender."
Those thoughts were echoed last year as well, when the new United manager cited Martinez as a player capable of filling in at centre-back, left-back and defensive midfield.
“I find Lisandro Martínez an excellent player, he is actually starting material and this is why I talk with him a lot," he said. "But he has a lot of competition with Daley Blind, Tagliafico and Gravenberch. I can only start 11 players.”
Martinez's heavy involvement over the last season proves that Ten Hag has huge faith and trust in the centre-back, and as he looks to bolster the United squad this summer, he is certainly a player who would appeal to supporters.
The Ajax man might not be a defender to arrive at Old Trafford and command a starting role, but with a need for versatility instead, he wouldn't need to be.
