Manchester United host Aston Villa at Old Trafford in a crunch Premier League game on Sunday - and Michael Carrick will be without a key player following a setback
Michael Carrick, caretaker head coach of Manchester United, looks dejected during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford on February 01, 2026
Michael Carrick will be without Lisandro Martinez against Aston Villa(Image: Getty Images)
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Manchester United are set to be without Lisandro Martinez when they take on Aston Villa this weekend after the defender suffered a setback in training. Martinez has missed the past three Premier League matches with a calf injury and is unlikely to feature against Villa.
The centre-back revived his partnership with Harry Maguire in the first five matches of the Michael Carrick era to great effect. He was settling back into the side after 10 months on the sidelines following a cruciate ligament injury.
Unfortunately the Argentina international picked up another issue in training last month and has subsequently sat out of wins over Everton and Crystal Palace and the defeat by Newcastle. Carrick has brought Leny Yoro into the side to replace Martinez for those fixtures - and the young Frenchman will keep his place for Sunday's home game against Villa.
The Daily Mail reports that Martinez suffered a ‘slight reaction’ after returning to the training pitch at Carrington and therefore won't be risked this weekend. The problem is understood not to be serious, but Carrick and his coaches don't want to rush Martinez back and risk further setbacks.
Maguire and Yoro are the only two fit senior central defenders, with Martinez sidelined along with Matthijs de Ligt. Youngster Ayden Heaven will likely sit on the bench as the only back-up centre-back on Sunday.
De Ligt has been out since November with a back injury. It is hoped he can make a return soon, having suffered a minor setback last month. The Dutchman is desperately worked to recover his fitness, with one eye on earning a place in the Netherlands squad for the World Cup this summer.
Carrick is also currently without Patrick Dorgu, Mason Mount and Noussair Mazroui. Sunday's game against Villa is crucial for United's chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League, with Villa level on 51 points but fourth on goal difference.
Lisandro Martinez
Lisandro Martinez is out with a calf injury
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"It’s an important game. It’s one we’re looking forward to, you know," Carrick said after the 2-1 loss against Newcastle. "We’ve manoeuvred ourselves into such a good position now and it’s been a positive couple of months that we want to build on.
"We’re coming off the back of losing a game, but it happens, we’ve seen pretty much everyone over recent weeks has lost. So that’s what this league brings and we’re putting things in perspective and understanding what we can do a little bit better."
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