Manchester United might be about to have the ideal solution to a problem that has plagued Ruben Amorim since he took charge. He oversaw their worst Premier League finish since 1990 last season and came under pressure following a dire start to the current campaign. However, things have improved in recent weeks and it seems United may have finally turned a corner.
They are unbeaten in their last five matches and recently secured a historic away win over Liverpool, their first in more than a decade. In spite of United's impressive form, there is still one area of their squad which is proving to be a problem. The left-wing-back position is arguably their least effective, with the Red Devils lacking a natural fit.
Noussair Mazraoui can play on the left but is a right-footer and is better suited to the opposite flank. Diogo Dalot has struggled to impress in the position, while Patrick Dorgu is far from the finished article.
Luke Shaw is probably the best fit for United, but the England international has been playing in central defence as of late. Sitting on the left side of a back three, he has started every Premier League game over the course of this season.
However, the imminent return of Lisandro Martinez could allow Shaw to move into the left-wing-back role and solve one of United's biggest problems.
Martinez has been sidelined since February after suffering a knee ligament injury against Crystal Palace last season. In recent weeks, he has stepped up his training regime and is nearing a long-awaited return to fitness.
There is a chance that he could be involved in Monday's game against Everton, but whether or not he will be picked to start in defence remains to be seen.
Martinez will be lacking match sharpness after spending so long on the treatment table but when he is up to speed, his return to United's back three could offer them a huge boost.
Amorim previously said he didn't want to pin down a date for Martinez's comeback, but the United boss revealed he was making good progress in late October.
"He's feeling well," said Amorim. "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."
Amorim had also made it clear that Martinez was sorely missed during his injury absence, saying: "We miss a lot, Licha, especially in this moment. We miss his aggression in everything he does, we miss him."