Under Ruben Amorim, Lisandro Martinez has the ability to make a huge difference to Manchester United’s defence.
Playing as the left centre-back in a back three is where Martinez can truly excel, allowing him to showcase his unique ball-playing qualities to break the lines, while also mitigating his weaknesses in aerial duels and box defending.
Martinez had shown promising signs when Amorim first arrived, regularly starting on the left side of the back three and significantly improving United’s build-up play, consistently finding line-breaking passes to one of the attacking midfielders between the lines.
However, all of Martinez’s progress came to a halt when he suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury in February, ruling him out for the remainder of the Premier League season and halting the momentum he was starting to build.
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Laurie Whitwell, speaking on the podcast “Talk of the Devils”, has now revealed when Lisandro Martinez is expected to return from his long-term injury.
Whitwell stated, “Lisandro Martinez will miss the first three games of the season at least.”
Manager Ruben Amorim will be eager to have Martinez back as soon as possible but is unlikely to take any unnecessary risks with the centre-back’s recovery.
Martinez is reportedly close to rejoining full first-team training and is currently working individually as he nears the final stages of his rehabilitation.
His return would be a major boost to a Manchester United squad under pressure to perform from the very start of the new campaign, with experienced leaders like Martinez considered vital to stabilising the team.
The squad is currently on their pre-season tour of the United States as they prepare for the upcoming Premier League season.
Although not yet training with the main group, Martinez has travelled with the squad, viewed as an important presence both on and off the pitch, even while recovering from injury.
