Lisandro Martínez
MUNArgentina
Left
Jan 18, 1998
28
5'9"
159 lb
CB
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Ball-Playing Centre Back
Man UtdSet to play Monday
Martinez (calf) is looking to be an option for Monday's match against Leeds United, according to manager Michael Carrick. "To have Licha in and around it again is good. Obviously, Harry's going to miss the game, so we've got Licha back around it."
Analysis: Martinez is on an upward trend and is looking to be fit again, as he continues to train at the camp in Dublin. This leaves him for a return against Leeds, still having a few more days to recover moving forward. The defender is a regular starter when fit, and with Harry Maguire suspended, he will likely return to that role immediately if deemed fit.
Trains in full Tuesday
Martinez (calf) is back in full team training during the club's training camp in Dublin and is targeting a return for Monday's clash against Leeds United, according to the club.
Analysis: Martinez has been sidelined since the draw with West Ham in February, missing five consecutive matches as United head into the final stretch of their Premier League season. The Argentine center-back's inclusion in the travelling squad and participation in full team sessions is the clearest sign yet that he is ready to return, with Monday's home fixture against Leeds shaping up as his comeback date. Manchester United have Champions League football on the line for next season, making the return of one of their most important defensive figures an extremely timely boost for manager Michael Carrick's side.
Travels for training camp
Martinez (calf) was in the traveling squad for a training camp in Dublin as he continues to work on his return, according to Rob Dawson of ESPN.
Analysis: Martinez is continuing to progress from injury as he eyes a return in their next contest, traveling for a team training camp away from their home grounds. This likely sets him up for a return in the coming game, as he was already expected to play following the break. The only question that seems to remain is whether he will be fit enough to start against Leeds United on April 13.
Eyeing return after break
Martinez (calf) is still not an option but eyeing a return after the international break, according to manager Michael Carrick. "[Lisandro is] closer, a lot closer. He's getting there, so after this one. I think he'll be alright."
Analysis: Martinez is nearing a return but is not yet an option, with the defender now eyeing a return after the break, as many expected. That said, he should continue to train over the next week as he builds up fitness, likely fit enough to start when facing Leeds United on April 13. This will be a huge return once he is fit, as he is a regular starting defender and the club is already without another defender due to injury, still waiting on the return of Matthijs De Ligt (back).
Not yet ready
Martinez (calf) is out for Wednesday's match against Newcastle, according to manager Michael Carrick. "He won't be with us. He's not quite ready for that."
Analysis: Martinez is still going to be sidelined as he recovers from a calf injury, with what was looking to be a minor injury lasting a bit longer. The major question now is how he will recover moving ahead, now with a decent break until March 15 to recover until their next match.
Missing Sunday
Martinez (calf) is out for Sunday's match against Crystal Palace but should return soon, according to manager Michael Carrick, per Carl Anka of The Athletic. "He won't be out for very long so we'll just monitor him over the next day, two, three or four days and see when he can come back, but he's not far away."
Analysis: Martinez is not yet fit after he was likely to miss out either way, with the defender taking his return from a calf injury cautiously. He will likely bid for a spot next week, that is, if he returns to training, appearing not be too far off heading into Sunday's contest. This will be a massive return for the club as he has luckily avoided anything serious, with Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro starting in the center of defense while he is out.
Doubtful for Sunday
Martinez (calf) is doubtful for Sunday's match against Crystal Palace after receiving no update from manager Michael Carrick, according to Rich Fay of Manchester World.
Analysis: Martinez is looking to be on the outside looking in after he was absent from the last match with a calf injury, as the defender was given no update heading into the match with Palace. This does leave him doubtful, as it would be a quick turnaround to recover from a calf injury in a week. If this is the case and he misses out, Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro will likely start as central defenders, with the duo earning a clean sheet in their last match, a 1-0 win over Everton.
Out with calf injury
Martinez is out for Monday's match against Everton due to an apparent calf injury, according to manager Michael Carrick. "Yeah, unfortunately he just picked up something during the week. It doesn't seem too bad at all, but we're just kind of working through that at the moment, so he's not available tonight."
Analysis: Martinez is not with the team Monday as they take the field to face Everton, with the defender suspected to have suffered a calf injury. This is a rough turn for the club, as the defender has started in their past 10 games, without a major resource in the backline. Leny Yoro earns the start in his place, with Martinez likely set for more testing soon and hopefully a quick return, likely to miss around a week or two to recover.
Tagged with own goal
Martinez generated an own goal, one shot (zero on goal) and one cross (one accurate) in Sunday's 3-2 victory versus Arsenal.
Analysis: It's a bit unfair to give Martinez the own goal here as he wasn't facing the ball as it came into the box and barely deflected off him on its way to the goal. The defender will next be tasked with slowing down a decent Fulham team which has scored 32 goals so far this season.
Available against Crystal Palace
Martinez (knee) is a bench option for Sunday's game versus Crystal Palace.
Analysis: Martinez is available for the second time in the season after rupturing his ACL in February and a long ramp-up in training. He'll be eased into action in the next few games. He has notched 47 tackles, 46 interceptions and 75 clearances in 28 appearances last season, contributing to five clean sheets.
Won't be available vs. Everton
Martinez (knee) won't be available for Monday's game against Everton, manager Ruben Amorim told media during Friday's pre-match press conference. "He is becoming close to be ready to play. Of course we need to be careful as he is going to struggle in the first [few] minutes. He is clearly in the better position compared to two weeks ago."
Analysis: Martinez has been training with the team for quite some time and is getting close to returning to action, but Monday's game will come too soon for the Argentina international. With Harry Maguire (hamstring) also out, Manchester United will be a bit thin in terms of center-back depth Monday. Expect Leny Yoro, Matthijs De Ligt and Luke Shaw to form the back three. Martinez's next chance to play will come against Crystal Palace on Sunday, Nov. 30.
Continues training with team
Martinez continued to train fully over the international break and a return from his torn ACL is imminent.
Analysis: Martinez has been training for close to a month at this point and it wouldn't be surprising for him to make a squad in the coming weeks. He's been working incredibly hard and by all signs appears to be fit for a return to the pitch. There's a chance he's given time with the youth squad first, but either way, he should be back playing with the senior team before the year is over.
Reporting to Argentina, won't play
Martinez (knee) is training with Argentina but will not play with the national team, according to Simon Stone of the BBC.
Analysis: Martinez is still working on his recovery and working towards a return, with the defender now set to travel to Argentina to train with the national team. However, the defender will not yet play with the team, joining purely to train. The hope will be he is fit after the break, with their next match taking place Nov. 24 against Everton.
Amping up fitness
Martinez (knee) continues to train and work on fitness ahead of the November international break, but an exact return has yet to be given by manager Ruben Amorim.
Analysis: Martinez is officially at the nine-month mark following his ACL injury with his surgery occurring in early February. Of course, that doesn't mean he should immediately get on the pitch and play 90 minutes. It's likely he'll need weeks of full training before being tested in a match and starts are probably still a month or so out given that United are healthy across their back line.
Back in full team training
Martinez (knee) eturned to training with the rest of the first-team squad on Wednesday, the club announced. "He's feeling well. The knee is responding really well, so I don't want to say one specific day or one week. I don't know, but it's near to start the training with the team. Then it depends on the rhythm of Licha, if he wins the place or not, that will depend on him, but he's closer to return to training."
Analysis: Martinez has been sidelined since early February after suffering a knee injury in the game against Crystal Palace. The center-back spent many months in recovery and rehabilitation and showed positive progress on Wednesday after being spotted training in full with the team in Carrington. The return of Martinez will provide a boost to the back three of coach Ruben Amorim since he is an undisputed starter when fully fit and available. That said, after many months on the sidelines, Martinez will likely be eased back to build his competitive fitness gradually in upcoming fixtures.
Training but out
Martinez (knee) is back in training but still not an option, according to Ruben Amorim. "Licha is out. He trained really well. He was on the next pitch and I was watching. He's training really well, the knee is looking well but I don't want to say a specific week [for his return] and then it depends on Licha, whether he wins the spot."
Analysis: Martinez is still not an option for the club as he battles his long-awaited return, with the defender set to miss out against Brighton. However, he has started to train and is nearing his return to fitness, just needing to win his spot back in the team sheet. A return date is still undetermined for the defender, although it does appear it could come anytime in the coming weeks.
Nearing return
Martinez (knee) is eyeing a return to training and to play, according to manager Ruben Amorim. "Licha is near, but almost returning to the training with the team."
Analysis: Martinez is still recovering from his ACL injury dating back to last February, but he is the closest he has been to a return yet. However, he is yet to train with the rest of his teammates, needing to do that before he sees the field again. That said, the defender should train again soon, followed by his return to play.
Eyeing return to training
Martinez (knee) is eyeing a return to full team training this week, according to Simon Jones of The Daily Mail.
Analysis: Martinez has been out since last February due to his torn ACL, but has finally reached a point where a return seems realistic. That said, the defender is expected to return to team training this week, stepping up after training individually for a bit due to their cautious approach on a return. He is now eyeing matches against Brighton and Nottingham Forest for returns before the end of October, still needing to see some progress before that comes to fruition.
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