Manchester United have been handed an update on Lisandro Martínez’s progression following a cruciate ligament injury in February.
Manchester United are set to begin their pre-season campaign with a match against Leeds United in Stockholm, Sweden.
After finishing 15th in the Premier League last season, the Reds have organised a challenging set of fixtures to gear up for 2025/26, including games against four top-flight English sides and a home clash with Fiorentina at Old Trafford.
Head coach Rúben Amorim will be hoping to lay early foundations as he looks to implement his ideas and build momentum ahead of the new season.
Following the Leeds fixture, United will travel to the United States to take on West Ham, Bournemouth, and Everton in the Premier League Summer Series.
Fans will be especially keen to watch the Leeds encounter, which could feature the first appearances of new signings Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon.
United handed Martínez injury update
Back in February, United welcomed Crystal Palace to Old Trafford in a Premier League fixture that saw the London club claim a 2-0 victory over Amorim’s men. However, the more devastating news was that defender Lisandro Martínez had suffered a cruciate ligament knee injury.
Martínez had been on fantastic form for United at left centre-back, scoring twice and assisting once since the turn of the year while putting in some great defensive performances before his injury.
Much to the surprise of fans, Martínez then turned up at Carrington a few months later during pre-season, and the Manchester Evening News have now issued an update on his condition.
As per the MEN’s report, the Argentina international has been put on an individual rehabilitation programme, and is responding well to the treatment.
However, those at the club are hesitant to give a definitive timeline for his return, as they will not take any risks with the player.
When is Martínez likely to return?
However, reports elsewhere have suggested that Martínez may be able to rejoin Amorim’s matchday squads much earlier than the initially expected return date in November.
Although he was initially expected to be sidelined until November, reports from last month suggested growing optimism that he could be back in action by September.
With the first weekend of that month coinciding with an international break, Martínez is now being lined up for a potential return on the weekend of 13 September against Manchester City, almost two months ahead of schedule.
While there had been concerns that Amorim’s team might struggle for quality on the left side of defence in Martínez’s absence, the rise of Ayden Heaven has been a welcome surprise.
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