A very encouraging fitness update has been issued on Manchester United star Lisandro Martinez as he steps up his bid to return to action.
United have missed Martinez
Martinez has been sidelined since he suffered a devastating anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in his left knee during a meeting against Crystal Palace in February.
He was stretchered off the pitch before undergoing surgery a few days later. Since then, he has been recovering and now, a return to action is firmly on the horizon.
Martinez appeared poised for a key role under Ruben Amorim following the Portuguese coach’s arrival as Erik ten Hag’s successor. Martinez immediately impressed Amorim with his technical ability on the ball and his knack for scoring important goals, such as against Liverpool and Fulham.
At the moment, Luke Shaw is the primary pick on the left side of Amorim’s three-man defence system. A steady figure at best, Shaw lacks the build-up capabilities that Martinez boasts of.
According to The Sun’s Samuel Luckhurst, United are hopeful that the Argentine will be back before the turn of the year.
Martinez injury update
Luckhurst reveals, “Manchester United are still hopeful Lisandro Martinez will play again this calendar year.”
“Martinez, 27, has still not returned to team training eight months on from his anterior cruciate ligament injury.”
It’s understood that towards the end of United’s pre-season tour, the World Cup winner returned to outdoor training and has since been completing one-on-one sessions at Carrington.
United could look to gently reel him back into training with the main group very soon.
But despite not playing, Martinez has still been a regular presence around the first team, arriving at matchdays to show support and even attending team meetings.
His return may even make the club shelve potential plans to sign a central defender in January.
United are back in action on Sunday, October 19 when they make their way to Anfield to face Liverpool.
Feature image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
