Ruben Amorim is already planning ahead for next season and it has been revealed that he views one Manchester United star as a key figure.
Manchester United’s chiefs are trying to bolster Ruben Amorim’s squad during the summer transfer window after a dismal campaign last term.
While the current playing squad does need improving, the Portuguese boss also needs to get the best out of some of the underperformers if they stay at Old Trafford.
There are some players who have shined under Amorim despite the team difficulties, with Bruno Fernandes being the obvious name.
But there are others – Lisandro Martinez was excelling in the left centre-back role before suffering a season-ending injury early in Amorim’s tenure.
Amorim views forgotten United star as key figure
It has been revealed by Sky Sports that Martinez, who suffered a cruciate ligament injury, is aiming to return as early as possible next term and is making good progress in his recovery.
The forgotten star is on an individual programme and is set to be working on the grass individually when the rest of the United squad return to Carrington for pre-season.
Importantly, the report added that United do not want to take ‘unnecessary risks’ with integrating Martinez back into the squad too early and will wait until he is in peak physical condition.
Amorim will be hugely pleased when he does return though, with the head coach viewing Martinez as a ‘key pillar’ of his defence moving forward.
United’s defensive unit is their strongest area, especially after the emergence of Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven over the last year, which gives Martinez less pressure to rush back.
Martinez influence in possession is unmatched
It is easy to forget how influential Martinez is for United in the backline due to the amount of times he has been injured since arriving.
His luck has been terrible but whenever he’s been able to play consistently, the defender has shown why he could be key for a United side looking to dominate possession.
While there are question marks of his ability to cover wide areas, especially now after these injuries, no other United defender can match him in possession and his lofted passes can usually unlock a defence.
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It will certainly be a huge boost for United when he does return but thankfully it is the perhaps the only position at Old Trafford where the depth is strong enough.
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