(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Manchester United have been urged to facilitate a mid-season departure for Lisandro Martinez, whose ‘heart is clearly no longer in Manchester’.
The Argentine will be out of contract in June 2027, though United hold a 12-month option, which could be utilised to protect his resale value.
Lisandro Martinez: The state of play
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 31: Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Chelsea FC and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on October 31, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
However, should he be offloaded in January, they could still secure a respectable fee from his exit.
Martinez has been United’s lowest-performing defender since 2026/2027 got underway, which is certainly saying something, considering he’s been mostly competing with two 20-year-olds (Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro) and 33-year-old Harry Maguire.
Yet, the 2022 World Cup winner has looked worlds apart from the stalwart centre-half that United had been depending on since his arrival in the summer of 2022.
🚨📸 – Lisandro Martinez in training today.😟💤 pic.twitter.com/vIySmFcKx1 — (fan) Zaid ✍🏼🇾🇪 (@ZaidBalll) November 2, 2026
His form was often so impressive that fans could almost overlook the fact that Martinez is one of the side’s most injury-prone players, with the 28-year-old yet to oversee a full term without at least one lengthy layoff.
What’s being said about Martinez?
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 31: Estevao of Chelsea runs with the ball under pressure from Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Chelsea FC and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on October 31, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
When he vocalised his dismay for the club’s hierarchy in Madrid last month, pundits noted how they wouldn’t have minded such an outburst if Martinez himself was actually playing well and doing his utmost to turn United’s situation around.
Lisandro Martínez did NOT hold back after United's loss to Atletico 😬👀 pic.twitter.com/OGo25Pzd30 — Prime Video Sport UK (@primevideosport) October 13, 2026
He then went on to oversee a calamitous display last time out against Chelsea, being shown two quickfire yellow cards for reckless challenges and giving a penalty away before traipsing off down the tunnel.
Michael Carrick and Lisandro Martinez didn't acknowledge each other as the defender walked off following his red card. Watch live on TNT Sports and HBO Max ➡️ https://t.co/WPrcA5ZrQ1 pic.twitter.com/24HGE6xnzs — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 31, 2026
Reports have even suggested in recent days that Martinez has agreed personal terms with Atletico Madrid ahead of a move next year, though it remains to be seen in which window.
Tyrone Marshall of Manchester Evening News believes United should part ways with the ‘sulking liability’ sooner rather than later.
“Martinez wants out, and United should facilitate that in January. It only takes one player to bring a negative mood into the dressing room for that to spread quickly. Carrick doesn’t need Martinez around the place right now,” penned Marshall.
“United have left their defensive rebuild too long, but they can start it ahead of schedule by getting rid of Martinez, a player whose heart is clearly no longer in it in Manchester.”
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