Former Man Utd defender Mikael Silvestre believes Lisandro Martinez’s return is timely for head coach Ruben Amorim.
The Argentinian international made his first appearance in nearly 10 months when he came on against Crystal Palace last weekend, and speaking to Esports Insider, Silvestre said Martinez will be a key figure over the coming weeks:
“Lisandro Martinez will definitely add some more quality at the back for Manchester United. It’s great to have him back. It’s a long season and the winter period takes a lot of energy out of you, so his return will be a big boost for Ruben Amorim at a very good time.”
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“I hope the club manage his fitness correctly because he’s such a critical figure in that Man United defence. The Christmas period should provide enough chances to rotate the team, and he can have the correct amount of exposure. You could see the reaction of the fans when he came on – he’s become a really important player for the club since he joined.”
The Man Utd centre-back has had a tough year
Martinez’s comeback against Palace seemed fitting, considering he had picked up his ACL injury when facing the same opponent at Old Trafford back in February.
The 27-year-old’s recovery has taken longer than expected. He had been seen in training several weeks ago, but it seems his body wasn’t ready for the rigours of the Premier League until now.
As Silvestre mentions, it is now up to the club’s medical department to ensure he stays fit and available during an intense fixture schedule over the festive period.
Shaw won’t give up his position easily
At the start of the season, most fans would have been expecting Martinez to go straight back into the first eleven following his return to fitness.
However, Luke Shaw’s form has surprised many. He has been one of the club’s most consistent defenders this campaign, and he has managed to start every single league game. Martinez will, therefore, have a fight on his hands to get his place back.
Read more about the Manchester United First Team Squad for 2025/26 here