Paul Merson thinks it’s ‘a bit lazy’ for managers to recruit players from their former clubs, referencing Erik ten Hag and Lisandro Martinez for Manchester United.
The new Red Devils boss has come in to turn things around at Old Trafford after a dismal 2021/22 campaign.
United registered their lowest ever points tally in the Premier League last season as they finished sixth in the table.
Ten Hag has strengthened his new squad with the addition of versatile defender Martinez, who he worked with at Ajax.
The Dutchman also wants a reunion with Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, another former Ajax colleague.
But Arsenal legend Merson is not a fan of managers bringing their old players to their new clubs.
‘I’m not a great lover of managers coming in and buying players from their old clubs – it’s a bit lazy,’ Merson told Sportskeeda.
‘Dutch football and English football are like chalk and cheese, and it’s going to be difficult for Lisandro Martinez.
‘We’ve seen it before with Sebastien Haller – he was brilliant for Ajax, and he couldn’t score a goal in the Premier League.’
Explaining what Martinez will bring to the side, Ten Hag told United’s website last month: ‘He’s a warrior and I think the fans will admire him.
‘He has an attitude, fighting spirit. He brings aggressiveness in the game, in a good way. I think we need that. But also, he’s also skilful and he can deal with the ball and he’s left-footed.’
‘I think the Premier League is high intensity, lots of challenges,’ Ten Hag added. ‘We need such players. I know from South Americans… I call it grinta. Controlled, aggressive. You need that in your game and with him we have such a player.’
‘Certain ideas, he knows them,’ the Dutchman added. ‘That is an advantage, clear. But also he has to adapt, to a new country, a new club, new team-mates. So also a lot of things will be different.’
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