Manchester United vs West Ham team news and match preview
Man Utd have a reduced fixture schedule this season and it is difficult to manage minutes.
The Argentine centre-back made his first appearance in almost 10 months when he featured from the bench against Crystal Palace at the weekend, and will be eager to win his place back in their strongest side.
Martinez was sorely missed at the time of his serious knee injury back in February, not only for his playing ability, but his status as one of the dressing room leaders under Ruben Amorim. The 27-year-old will gradually be eased back into action over the coming weeks and will have to work hard if he is to dislodge Luke Shaw in the starting line up.
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Amorim challenges Martinez to win starting role
Lisandro Martinez is expected to be on the bench when Manchester United host West Ham in the Premier League on Thursday night and Ruben Amorim has challenged him to win back a starting role.
"They have to fight. We talked about that as a group last year," Amorim said in his pre-match press conference. "We need to win Europa League. You have 11 players because you have no idea what is playing one game per week. You are going to be upset because you are not going to play. It’s 11 players that can play and then the rest you have to fight.
"That is the situation. That is not a problem. That is a blessing. That is my job to choose. Licha is a guy that has a big character. I feel that he stops for a year. and now he wants the things really, really fast, and you have to manage that to explain with that injury, we need to go step by step, but he's getting ready, he's feeling really strong. He's one more guy to help the team to play better, so I'm really happy with Licha at the moment."
United played 60 matches across all competitions last season and could play as few as 40 this campaign due to their early exit from the Carabao Cup and a lack of European football. It means chances could be limited for Martinez to stake his claim, but he is just happy to be back on the pitch again.
"A long time not being able to do what I love most and what better way to return to the court with a very important win," Martinez wrote on Instagram after the Palace win. "They were months of suffering, uncertainty, anguish, imbalance... where the lack of energy was nothing to beat me "I was lucky enough to count on my family, friends, team-mates, fans, the club and the national team to recharge my heart. Just thank you everyone."
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