Lisandro Martinez Set for Unexpected Position Change at Manchester United

There was a welcome sight at Carrington this week as Lisandro Martinez finally returned to full training with his Manchester United teammates — the first time since suffering an ACL injury against Crystal Palace back in February.

The Argentine’s determination has never been in question. Sources at the club say Martinez has been pushing for a comeback for several weeks, eager to rejoin the first-team squad. However, manager Ruben Amorim recently revealed that he had to hold the defender back, refusing his request to travel for the Nottingham Forest clash last month and opting not to risk him in the draw with Tottenham a week later.

After nearly nine months on the sidelines, caution was the right call. United’s medical team were keen to avoid any setback at this crucial stage of recovery, but Martinez’s return to the grass after the international break signals the final stretch of his rehabilitation.

Yet the defender comes back to find a very different landscape at Old Trafford — and his once-guaranteed starting role may no longer be waiting for him.

When Lisandro Martinez limped off against Palace, United lost not just a defensive linchpin but one of their emotional leaders. However, in his absence, Luke Shaw has quietly reestablished himself as a cornerstone of Amorim’s back three.

That resurgence now poses a new challenge for Lisandro Martinez. Even when fully fit, he may need to bide his time before reclaiming his place, with Amorim unlikely to disrupt a settled defensive line that has found balance in recent weeks.

For the 27-year-old, the coming months could define his United future. Under contract until 2027, Martinez must now prove he can reclaim his spot and return to his dominant best. His mentality suggests he will embrace the fight — but with Shaw in the form of his life, the battle for United’s left-sided centre-back role promises to be fierce.