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Manchester United centre-back Lisandro Martínez will train with the Argentina national team during the international break Manchester United have allowed Lisandro Martínez to join up with the Argentina national set-up during the international break, according to a report from the Manchester Evening News. The centre-back has entered the final stage of his recovery from a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury that cut his season short and required him to undergo a long rehab period. He returned to full training at Carrington at the end of October, but the medical staff and coaching team felt that the Argentine needed a bit more time before stepping into matchday squads against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur. Although Lionel Scaloni did not include Martínez in the official squad list for Argentina’s upcoming fixtures, the 27-year-old will still attend a training camp in Europe. The sessions will help him rebuild match fitness in a sharper training environment, and many within both camps see this step as important at this point in his recovery. Have the Red Devils approved the plan? The report has gone on to reveal that Manchester United have already signed off on the plan, believing that this controlled environment gives him the right intensity without rushing him back into games. One member of United’s performance staff will travel with him to keep an eye on his workload and monitor him closely. Meanwhile, this move shows a steady and careful approach rather than pushing him straight back into the starting line-up. United have struggled at times this season without Martínez’s presence, as his reading of play and calmness on the ball give the side better balance. Even so, the club looks committed to protecting his long-term fitness instead of going for a quick fix, especially with a busy run of matches coming up once domestic action returns. There have been discussions regarding the comeback of the World Cup winner, and Wes Brown even went on to say that Lisandro will feel like a new signing for United. Meanwhile, the defender returned to first-team training in October. What will Martínez’s return provide United with? Will it bring any change? United clearly missed Lisandro Martínez’s influence under Ruben Amorim. His ability to step forward on the left side, play through pressure, and set the tempo from deep once gave the team a solid base to build from. Without the 27-year-old, the back line sometimes looks hesitant in possession, passes move more slowly, and transitions lose sharpness. Opponents press with greater confidence because they sense uncertainty. Moreover, the left-footed Argentine centre-back adds a competitive edge that suits Amorim’s high-pressing approach. He reads duels early, attacks challenges with conviction, and encourages the line to hold higher ground. That quality changes the attitude of the entire defence because it shows intention instead of doubt. However, the anticipation of Lisandro’s return must come with patience. He has endured a difficult run with injuries, and rushing him would risk undoing progress, but even the sight of him nearing competitive rhythm brings reassurance for a team trying to find balance in the backline and confidence as the season progresses.
