Fantastic news for Carrick as hugely positive update is issued on United warrior – report

Manchester United have received a timely Lisandro Martinez boost after the latest update on his fitness. Martinez injured United will be eager to get back to winning ways when they return to action on Sunday against Aston Villa. Michael Carrick’s unbeaten streak as interim head coach was ended last week in a 2-1 loss at the hands of Newcastle. United could not take advantage of their numerical advantage after Jacob Ramsey was given his marching orders just before the break. The result did little damage to United’s Champions League hopes, as they remain in third place. However, it was a missed opportunity to put some distance between themselves and their top-four rivals. Martinez was sorely missed, with the defender sidelined by a calf injury. The Argentina international has missed United’s last three games due to the issue. Initially described as not serious, his extended absence began to spark concerns. A report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that Martinez had suffered a setback in training. Speaking to reporters in his pre-match press conference, Carrick did not give an update on Martinez or when he expects him back. Now, the Daily Mail’s Chris Wheeler has revealed that the defender will not be available for selection vs. Villa but he will be in contention to feature in the subsequent meeting against Bournemouth. Martinez boost Wheeler wrote on X, “Lisandro Martinez is set to miss the Villa game tomorrow, as per this week’s Utd Confidential.” “But he is expected to be back in the squad for the trip to Bournemouth on Friday.” Lisandro Martinez is set to miss the Villa game tomorrow, as per this week’s Utd Confidential, but he is expected to be back in the squad for the trip to Bournemouth on Friday #mufc https://t.co/elxbNR64Rm — Chris Wheeler (@ChrisWheelerDM) March 14, 2026 Martinez’s impending comeback is a massive boost, with his ball-playing skills and defensive steel proving almost impossible to replicate. In his absence, Carrick has resorted to deploying Leny Yoro alongside Harry Maguire at the heart of the Red Devils’ defence. Yoro has done well and is likely to start against Villa. United vs. Villa kicks off at 2pm. Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Latest Top Stories… Derick Kinoti Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the Premier League extensively for years. His work blends sharp analysis, tactical insight, and engaging storytelling that resonates with fans around the world. Derick has gained valuable experience in football journalism, developing strong expertise in SEO writing, digital content creation, and social media engagement. A tech enthusiast with a Computer Science degree from the University of Nairobi, he ultimately swapped code for football commentary, bringing an analytical, detail-oriented approach to his writing. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!