Lisandro Martinez earns surprise Argentina call-up as Manchester United defender nears return from injury

Martinez was expected to be out with a knee injury until early April
Matt Verri13 March 2024

Lisandro Martinez has been called up to the Argentina squad for his country’s upcoming international friendlies.

The Manchester United defender has been out since suffering a knee ligament injury at the start of February, and was expected to be on the sidelines for around eight weeks.

It was believed that Martinez would return to action for United in early April, but his recovery after damaging his medial collateral ligament has progressed well and he could now feature for Argentina first.

The 26-year-old will finish his rehabilitation with his country, joining up with the squad for friendlies in the USA against El Salvador on March 23 and Costa Rica on March 27.

Should there be no further setbacks, Martinez would be available for United straight after the international break, in what is a big week for Erik ten Hag’s side.

After travelling to Brentford, United then face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in midweek, before hosting Liverpool three days later.

That would be a big boost, with United incredibly stretched in defence. Martinez has been unavailable since the win over West Ham last month, when he received treatment on knee injury, initially played on but then almost immediately had to be brought off.

Lisandro Martinez suffered a knee injury against West Ham
Getty Images

Ten Hag insisted at the time that the decision for Martinez to go back on, which was made by the player, did not make the injury worse.

The United boss said: “I don’t think so but it was Lisandro’s decision and he was comfortable to be back on the pitch but after he tried he stopped in the next attack. It is [almost] impossible [to diagnose injuries].

“In some situations it is clear and obvious but there is always a grey area and it is very difficult to see from the sideline.

“We have the [TV] screens and we see it as well and our medical staff are over there [treating him] but to assess in one or two minutes was impossible. After a game I say: ‘Can’t tell you – you need 24 hours minimum,’ so how can you tell in two minutes?”

On Martinez’s importance to the team, Ten Hag added: “You see his contribution to the team when he is playing so he brings, apart from his technical skills, also a mentality in the team,” Ten Hag said.

“It is a big setback for Licha. He is very disappointed, but he is a fighter and he will back, he will be back stronger.”

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