Although Lisandro Martinez’s first season with Manchester United may be ended, manager Erik ten Hag is optimistic that his center-back will recover fully in time for preseason.
Although Lisandro Martinez won’t be able to participate in Manchester United’s monumental FA Cup final the following week, manager Erik ten Hag anticipates that he will return to their Carrington training facility “in the coming days.”
The 25-year-old Argentine center back had to have surgery after breaking his metatarsal against Sevilla in United’s Europa League quarterfinal in April. Martinez’s absence, along with that of his center-back partner Raphael Varane, rattled Ten Hag’s team, which after losing in the European Playoffs a week later threatened to drop out of the top-four before bouncing back in recent matches.
The key defender will now return to base, and Red Devils manager is optimistic that he will be fully recovered in time for preseason. Prior to this Sunday’s home Premier League match against Fulham, Ten Hag told Viaplay that he anticipated Lisandro Martinez returning to the team soon. When the preseason begins, he will be prepared.
Martinez’s return for the championship game against fierce rivals Manchester City at Wembley next Saturday was already acknowledged by United’s manager as having “absolutely no chance.” Varane, however, has already made a crucial return.
Martinez posted a happy update on Instagram following surgery, saying: “Everything went incredibly well, thanks to God! I appreciate all of your correspondence. The recovery is now the main priority.
After two trophy-filled seasons together in Amsterdam, Ten Hag signed the 25-year-old from Ajax last summer. Martinez is proving to be a shrewd signing and significantly enhancing the Red Devils’ defense as well as their build-up play thanks to his left-footedness and assurance on the ball, making the dubious £57 million transfer transaction look less suspicious.
Ten Hag recently stated on the website of United that “his playing [style] is tough but not unfair.” “I believe that he is a defender in particular, and he is defending well – on the ball because it is [about] positioning, anticipation, and teamwork. It is exquisite. Working with him is exceptional since he has the ability and a constant desire to do better. It’s pleasing to watch his defense style, then.
“Everyone loves his attitude; the defense loves it, the fans love it, and it provides the team energy. He can handle it [when he is] on the ball. As a player, I enjoy him. I appreciate his attitude, and I hope we can work together for a very long period.
The Red Devils are scheduled to play Leeds in Oslo on July 12 and then French team Lyon in Edinburgh the following week before departing for a four-game tour of the United States. Before the start of the Premier League on August 12, they have matches against Arsenal, Wrexham, Real Madrid, and Borussia Dortmund scheduled in North America.
