Erik ten Hag lauds Lisandro Martinez as a 'warrior' and believes Man United fans 'will admire him'

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has described Lisandro Martinez as a 'warrior' ahead of the defender's imminent arrival.

The Red Devils announced on Sunday they reached a deal worth £55.3million with Ajax for the Argentinian.

Ten Hag, who managed Martinez during his time in charge of the Dutch side, has heaped praise on the player and believes United fans will take to him well due to his 'attitude and fighting spirit'.

Speaking to the club's official website, Ten Hag said: '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.'

On adjusting to the Premier League, Ten Hag added: 'I think it's important, yeah. I think the Premier League is high intensity, lots of challenges. We need such players [with fighting spirit].

'Certain ideas, he knows them. That is an advantage, clearly.

'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.'

Martinez flew into the UK on Friday and the deal is subject to him passing a medical and obtaining a visa, though United don't anticipate any problems.

He will become the club's third summer signing after Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen. The Danish playmaker and Martinez will both not join United's tour of Australia though, as confirmed by Ten Hag.

'Unfortunately we cannot have them here in the tour, because at the moment they arrive here we will fly back. So that doesn't make sense,' the United boss said.

'We cannot wait to involve them in our squad and the fans also cannot wait.

'Every year it's the same as a trainer: you want your squad complete as soon as possible. But also fans look forward to new players and what is the squad and what they can contribute and they want an identification.'