Lisandro Martinez has been out injured since February after suffering a serious knee injury, but the Man United centre-back looks to be working his way back to action for Ruben Amorim's team
Man United centre-back Lisandro Martinez looks on
Man United centre-back Lisandro Martinez is working his way back to full fitness
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Manchester United centre-back Lisandro Martinez has shown encouraging signs in training after being pictured with Joshua Zirkzee during the November international break.
The Argentine has been out of action since sustaining a serious knee injury in February. However, the 27-year-old has since returned to training at Carrington as he works his way back to full fitness.
Reports suggest that Martinez was granted permission to train with Argentina during the international break to build match fitness. It is currently unclear whether the former Ajax star will be fit enough to be included in United's squad for Monday night's clash against Everton, however.
Reds boss Ruben Amorim is expected to provide an update during his pre-match press conference on Friday. And the latest signs are looking good for Martinez if Zirkzee's latest Instagram story post is anything to go by
The Dutchman posted a picture of him with Martinez and several youth team players - indicating that they won a practice match with the Argentine coming through unscathed. He said: "Young lads made it easy for us @lisandromartinezzz."
Lisandro Martinez in training
Man United defender Lisandro Martinez has been back in training
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Amorim has recently admitted he does not want to set a date for Martinez's return to the matchday squad. However, when questioned in late October - the Portuguese revealed he was happy with the progress being made.
"He's feeling well," he said. "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."
Ruben Amorim, Head Coach of Manchester United, looks on as Lisandro Martinez leaves the pitch on a stretcher after becoming injured during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Crystal Palace FC at Old Trafford on February 02, 2025 in Manchester, England
Amorim will be desperate to reintegrate Martinez into his system(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
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Previously, the United head coach made it clear how sorely missed Martinez has been. Amorim's current options in central defence struggle to play out of the back - a skill the Argentine is equipped with.
"We miss a lot, Licha, especially in this moment," he said. "We miss his aggression in everything he does, we miss him."
It is therefore perhaps no surprise that United have increasingly decided to play the ball long from defence - a tactic referenced by Liverpool boss Arne Slot when his side lost at home to Amorim's men last month.
But Martinez will not have an easy route back into the Reds' defence. Luke Shaw has been ever-present in the Premier League this season, operating as the left-sided centre-back and is likely to keep his place for Monday's game against the Toffees.