A fresh update on Lisandro Martínez’s injury status has been provided from Argentina; he could return to the Manchester United squad sooner rather than later.
Manchester United have been without Lisandro Martínez since February, when the Argentine suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
Martínez became a key player under Rúben Amorim – as one of the few left-footed central defenders at the club – and his injury left a big hole in the side. Luke Shaw has taken up that role this season, but Martínez’s absence is clearly felt in the United defence.
Shaw has impressed on occasion this season, but failed to regularly play his best football, with a particularly poor performance against Manchester City. Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro may benefit from Martínez’s return on the left side of the back three.
United have four games before the next international break in November, and they could be crucial in Amorim’s future at Old Trafford. Immediately after the current break, United make the short trip to Anfield before facing Brighton at home next weekend.
Nottingham Forest at the City Ground is the first game of November, with Tottenham Hotspur the final game before the next international fixtures. Martínez will be crucial if he can return in time for those four games.
Results of Martínez’s latest knee scan revealed
While Martínez wouldn’t immediately claim Shaw’s place in the starting side, his return could boost the entire United defence. If the Argentine can get back to his best, then he could be United’s best defender.
A fresh update from Argentina has claimed that Martínez is “close to returning” after his serious knee injury in February last season. The former Ajax centre-back is said to be “finalising details” before returning to team training in the near future.
Martínez has been training individually with the ball in recent weeks, but has yet to rejoin full training as part of his rehabilitation. However, his return could be imminent after an MRI scan last week was “more than positive.”
The update states that Martínez could return to play by the end of October, meaning he could be available for United’s matches before the November international break against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur.
While Martínez may play for the under-21s before Amorim’s senior side, United fans could see the central defender return to action before the next set of international matches, in which he could feature for Argentina.
Martínez perfectly suits Amorim’s system
United’s biggest defensive issues this season have been the breakdown between the midfield and the back three. There seems to be confusion as to who should pick up certain markers, leading to some very poor goals.
However, these issues were temporarily resolved when de Ligt played on the right side of defence, with Harry Maguire in the centre. De Ligt knew when to push up into midfield and close down the opposition, unlike Shaw or Yoro.
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Martínez – like his former Ajax teammate, de Ligt – knows when to jump into midfield and press. Erik ten Hag’s star centre-back will massively improve United’s defence and help them sustain possession.
Amorim’s system improved against Sunderland, but without Martínez, Amorim’s future could still be an uncertain one. The Argentine is crucial to how the United manager wants to play at Old Trafford.
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