Manchester United welcomed Lisandro Martinez back to the squad. His full return can’t come soon enough.
Ruben Amorim chose to only make three substitutes during Manchester United’s home defeat to Everton.
One of his unused substitutes was Lisandro Martinez, who was named in the matchday squad for the first time since tearing his ACL at the start of 2025.
Amorim did not feel that Martinez was ready to make an impact. But it is only a matter of time before he makes his successful return.
Just being on the substitutes bench was a step in the right direction for ‘The Butcher’.
Lisandro Martinez was spotted warming up at Old Trafford ahead of his long awaited comeback!
Lisandro Martinez was spotted warming up
Photo by Poppy Townson – MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images
Manchester United are a better team with Lisandro Martinez
Lisandro Martinez’s career at Manchester United has been impacted heavily by a succession of injuries.
From a broken metatarsal to a torn ACL, Martinez is either desperately unlucky, or injury-prone. And he desperately needs some good fortune.
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United need him too. Data uncovered by United In Focus shows that since he signed for the club in July 2022, Martinez has had a great impact.
Manchester United have won 58.2 per cent of games Lisandro Martinez has played, while winning only 43.8 per cent of games without him.
Manchester United’s WIN RATE with and without Lisandro Martinez! ð¦ð·
Manchester United win 58.2% of games Lisandro Martinez plays vs 43.8% when he does not feature
Win rate with and without Martinez
Win rate with and without Martinez
Do you think Lisandro Martinez should be an automatic starter ahead of Luke Shaw when he is fully fit?
A full breakdown of statistics with and without Lisandro Martinez is below, with United losing 10 more games without the defender – despite playing two fewer.
ð´ W-L Record: Lisandro Martínez Era
Condition P W D L Win Rate
With Martínez 91 53 16 22 58.2%
Without Martínez 89 39 18 32 43.8%
Martinez was needed vs Everton
One of Lisandro Martinez’s best assets is his ability to progress the ball forward and pick passes from defence.
He provided the winner last season in the derby away at City with a superb through ball that picked out Amad to score the winner.
United needed a little composure and passing ability in defence against Everton, who put everybody behind the ball and challenge United to break them down.
Data shows that United are failing to make the most of the games we dominate under Ruben Amorim, averaging 0.79 points per game when the team has more than 50 per cent possession.
Ruben Amorim possession problems
Manchester United average 1.73 points per game in matches with less than 50% possession, and just 0.79 points with more than 50% possession.
Manchester United wins vs losses based on possession.
This is a clear concern – but one that Lisandro Martinez may be able to solve.
Whether this weekend’s game against Palace comes too soon, we will have to wait and see. But we can expect to see the defender in December at some point.
Ruben Amorim has high hopes for Martinez, and it is easy to understand why.
United battled hard to sign him during the early days of Erik ten Hag’s reign, and he quickly won over his doubters.
Martinez’s tenacity and passion have made him a fan favourite, which has only increased the frustration about his repeated lack of availability.
Do you want to see Lisandro Martinez make his return against the team he got injured against? ð
Lisandro Martinez suffered an ACL injury against Crystal Palace when the teams last met in early February.
Now he could make an emotional return to action against the same opponent… ð
Lisandro Martinez stretchered off
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Martinez is also desperate to make the Argentina squad for the World Cup next year. If he is fit, he will be included, but he has a fight to make his way into the starting line-up again.
To stand the best chance, Martinez needs to be playing regularly for Manchester United, and that little bit of added motivation can work in the club’s favour.