Both Lisandro Martínez and Matthijs de Ligt are currently dealing with injuries, but Manchester United do not appear to be worried about their returns.
Do Man Utd already have their future CB pairing?
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Lisandro Martínez was forced off through injury in the World Cup final, as Argentina lost to Spain.
Manchester United fans can be forgiven for thinking the worst when their Argentine centre-back clutched his thigh before walking off the pitch, given how much Martínez has struggled with injuries since his move to Old Trafford.
Martínez is not due to report back to Carrington until three weeks after the final (August 9), which means he will likely miss the pre-season matches against Atletico Madrid (August 1) and Paris Saint-Germain (August 8). He could return in time for Leeds United (August 12) and AC Milan (August 15), but if his injury is serious, he could miss those games, too.
Matthijs de Ligt is another who will likely miss the majority – if not all – of United's pre-season. The Dutchman remains out injured after suffering a back injury in late November 2025.
Rúben Amorim thought De Ligt would be back just a week later, but it was concluded that he needed back surgery earlier this year.
Andy Mitten has reported that Manchester United are "not concerned" that Lisandro Martínez's injury is serious. He "should be fine" for the opening match of the Premier League season against Hull City.
As for Matthijs de Ligt, he is expected to be out longer than his former Ajax teammate, Martínez. Mitten suggests that De Ligt could return in the Autumn, which could see him behind Maguire and Leny Yoro in Michael Carrick's pecking order.
Yoro has started both of Manchester United's pre-season matches as a right-back, but he played 15 minutes in central defence against Rosenborg in the second half.
This is not an easy question. The only certainty is that Luke Shaw is in at left-back, although Harry Amass was another who impressed off the bench against Rosenborg. United could yet sign another left-back, but Shaw remains first choice for now.
At right-back, Diogo Dalot will just edge out Noussair Mazraoui, as he did for much of last season. Dalot will need to impress if he wants to keep his place, though, with Mazraoui performing very well at the World Cup.
Central defence is the most difficult. Harry Maguire is likely to keep his place for the start of the season, given he will be available for all of pre-season if he does not pick up an injury.
Maguire's best partner is probably Martínez, but if Heaven can impress in pre-season, he could be given the nod over his more senior teammate.
Another thing to note is Michael Carrick may not choose his strongest team against Hull City on the opening day, given United should dominate the match.