Man Utd clarify Lisandro Martinez injury latest as defender makes Carrington return

Manchester United have clarified the latest on Lisandro Martinez's recovery from a foot injury.

The defender was back at the club’s Carrington training base on Wednesday, leading to suggestions on social media that he was working on an individual training programme. Via a statement on their website, United did not mention whether Martinez has moved onto the next phase of his recuperation process, but said the ex-Ajax centre-back ‘watched his team-mates train’.

“Martinez has recently spent time in his native Argentina as he recuperates but the 25-year-old is now back at base and was in attendance for the squad’s training session, supporting team-mates as they prepare for a big week of domestic and European action,” United added.

Regardless of Martinez’s involvement at Carrington on Wednesday, Erik ten Hag confirmed earlier this month that the Argentinian, along with Casemiro, would not be available for selection before Christmas.

Martinez first suffered the foot injury in April, when he broke a metatarsal in the latter stages of United’s Europa League encounter against Sevilla. The World Cup winner overcame the problem ahead of the 2023/24 season, but suffered a recurrence of the injury after just six games.

He last featured for United in the 4-3 loss to Bayern Munich on 20 September, and the absence of such an influential player has been keenly felt by Ten Hag. The United boss even bemoaned the lack of a left-footed option at centre-back when asked about Raphael Varane's role two weeks' ago.

Along, with Martinez, Jonny Evans is also injured for United, meaning the Red Devils have just three fit centre-backs to choose from: Varane, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof.

Meanwhile, there was better news on Wednesday morning as United confirmed Luke Shaw was back in full training after a three-month injury layoff. The left-back could be available when United return from the international break with a trip to Everton on Sunday.