Manchester United could have yet another centre-back issue on their hands if Lisandro Martínez's injury is a serious one.
Do Man Utd already have their future CB pairing?
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Manchester United have had several different positions to focus on this summer, with most of the attention on the midfield.
Casemiro's departure at the end of his contract has left quite the shoes to fill in central midfield alongside Kobbie Mainoo. Those shoes have been made even harder to fill after Manuel Ugarte picked up an ACL injury on international duty at the World Cup.
Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans have moved to Old Trafford from Chelsea and Aston Villa, respectively. But United are still looking for a third midfielder to bolster Michael Carrick's squad upon the return to the Champions League.
United are also said to be looking for a centre-forward and a left-winger, although if Marcus Rashford remains at the club, the left-winger focus may switch to a left-back.
One position that has not been talked about too much is central defence. United already have Matthijs de Ligt, Ayden Heaven, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martínez and Leny Yoro. But injury issues are prevalent.
De Ligt has been out injured with a back problem since November – despite Rúben Amorim claiming he would be back within a week of his first missed match. Lisandro Martínez has also suffered injury issues since his move to Old Trafford, with his most recent one being in the World Cup final.
While the extent of Lisandro Martínez's injury remains unknown for the time being, he is certain to miss at least three weeks as he enjoys his post-World Cup break that all United players have been granted.
The Argentine is due to report to Carrington between the friendly matches against Paris Saint-Germain and Leeds United. Until then – and perhaps longer if he is injured – Ayden Heaven will likely start in central defence alongside Harry Maguire.
Heaven appeared in 17 matches in the Premier League last season, but only started 11 of those – playing just 923 minutes in the competition. Despite his lack of game time, he has impressed United fans time and time again, with many saying he needs more minutes to achieve his potential.
The former Arsenal youngster has also shown he is willing to work for his place at Manchester United.
"Me and Leny [Yoro] always do extras with Jonathan Woodgate and Jonny Evans, and we are always learning and helping each other a lot," he told club media. "We still have a lot to learn, because we are still very young. The guys help us, and we are always trying to improve."
It's not just fans who have been impressed by Heaven, though. Harry Maguire told MUTV: "I think Ayden’s got real, real good ability in everything you want from a defender.
"He’s quick, he’s strong, he’s really good on the ball, he’s calm, and I do believe Ayden will improve a lot with experience, but he’s a great lad.
"He’s willing to learn. He wants to learn."
Lisandro Martínez's injury could leave a gap in central defence for Ayden Heaven to start against Hull City on the opening day of the Premier League pre-season.
The young defender was on the pitch while United conceded against Wrexham in the first match of pre-season, but none of the starting XI particularly impressed apart from new signing Andrey Santos.
Heaven will be hoping to stake his claim against Rosenborg on Friday, 24 July. United will play their second pre-season match in Norway, with few changes to the squad expected.
JJ Gabriel could be included in the matchday squad after being involved in first-team training earlier this week, but he is not as certain to feature as Heaven.
With Leny Yoro playing at right-back until Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui return, Heaven will have a chance to impress Carrick until the start of the season.