Martinez pictured being loaded onto a stretcher against Crystal Palace.
Remember Lisandro Martinez? He could return from a serious injury around the new season.
The worst was feared when Martinez fell to the ground against Crystal Palace in February, as his knee buckled as he landed and he looked distraught as he was stretched off the pitch.
The bad news was subsequently confirmed: Martinez tore the cruciate ligament in his knee. United did not communicate a timeline on when he could return, but Martinez was expected to face a lengthy spell of between six and nine months on the sidelines, depending on how his rehabilitation progressed.
Martinez suffered the knee injury at the beginning of February and four months have passed, so it would probably be a stretch to expect him to feature during pre-season games in July.
The beginning of August could be a possible return date for Martinez, though, at least to be working on grass, which suggests he could be available for selection shortly after the new season begins.
United will not rush Martinez back to prevent aggravating the injury, but August seems a realistic target for him to work toward and a September return might even be in the back of his mind.
It's common for players with serious injuries to set provisional dates to target their return so they can be motivated during the rehabilitation process, which can be mentally challenging.
Martinez was spotted on a handful of matchdays at the end of the campaign. The 27-year-old joined the celebrations after beating Athletic Bilbao at Old Trafford and he arrived with the squad, wearing a Paul Smith club suit, at the Estadio de San Mames for the Europa League final against Tottenham.
Martinez pictured with his wife and newborn. (Image: 2025 Manchester United FC)
The defender also took part in the lap of appreciation at Old Trafford on the final day of the season. He was joined by his wife and newborn, and was spotted waving at supporters.
Martinez quickly became a fan favourite after his arrival from Ajax in the summer of 2022, but he has missed chunks of time on the pitch due to injuries and his form dropped this season.
The Argentina international was previously considered undroppable. He was one of the first names on the team sheet. However, Martinez will not go immediately back into the starting XI when he gets back up to speed following his lay-off.
It goes without saying that a player returning from a serious injury wouldn't start straight away, but Martinez will be forced to fight for his place when he's considered 100 per cent fit.
Martinez's performances were mixed this term and some displays were a far cry from those he produced in his first season in Manchester, which earned him popularity among fans.
Ruben Amorim did not consider dropping Martinez because he was the only left-footed centre-back in the squad. But everything changed when Ayden Heaven was signed in January and, more importantly, when Amorim experimented by starting Leny Yoro on the left side of the defensive trio.
Yoro has been excellent since his relocation to the left. The Frenchman grew in confidence with each month during his first season and he ended the campaign strongly in that role.
The 19-year-old will be nailed on to start in that position on the opening day of the new season and it will be fascinating to see whether Martinez can win that role back, provided each defensive option is fit.
Martinez has gone from having no competition for his role to having Yoro and Heaven breathing down his neck, which should help him raise his level when he returns from his knee injury.
There is finally competition for the left-sided centre-back role in Amorim's system.