Lisandro Martinez trains with Argentina - Manchester United talk up quick return, rivals doubt it

Lisandro Martinez has been working with Argentina during the international break, with suggestions he could be available for Manchester United immediately after the pause. From a rival lens, this sounds optimistic. Martinez is a high-IQ, left-footed centre-back with bite and timing, but repeated layoffs have blunted rhythm and explosiveness before. Even if medically cleared, match sharpness is a different battle. United want his leadership in the first phase and aggressive front-foot defending. The question is not if he helps, but when he sustains it. Expect noise about a swift comeback, but history says easing him in is smarter than rushing for headlines.

Argentina’s national team sessions during the current international break, where Martinez has trained with the squad in recent days. Club briefings in Manchester suggest availability after the break, framed as a timely boost for a defensive unit that has lacked a natural left-sided centre-back. The context includes recent debates around national team selections and United’s broader squad questions heading into a congested run of fixtures.

🚨BREAKING: Lisandro Martínez has trained with Argentina squad these days, ready to be available for Manchester United after the break. [@FabrizioRomano]

@UtdXclusive

Impact Analysis

From a purely football perspective, Martinez at his best transforms Manchester United’s build-up and defensive aggression. He is the rare left-footed centre-back who steps into midfield lines, plays through pressure, and changes pressing triggers with his positioning. His timing in duels and body orientation when defending wide channels give full-backs cover and allow the defensive line to hold higher. That is the theory.

The reality after repeated setbacks is harsher. Multiple layoffs across the last 18 months - foot, knee, and soft-tissue interruptions - erode match rhythm. Even elite centre-backs need five to seven full-tilt matches to regain timing in aerials, shoulder checks, and split-second decisions in cover. Conditioning lags show up late in games, exactly when United have leaked chances. As a rival watcher, I have seen his first game back before - crisp for 30 minutes, then a half-yard off in the last quarter.

Tactically, United’s first phase improves with him, but transitions could be exposed if he is even slightly short of pace. Opponents will target his side with diagonal switches and early runs across his front. Without a stable partner and a protective No. 6 screening second balls, his return risks being oversold. The impact is net positive long term, but short term is a tightrope between much-needed leadership and manageable risk.

Reaction

Fan discourse split fast. One camp mocked the timing - pointing out he has hardly strung a clean run together and still made the national camp over names like Alejandro Garnacho. Another group spun forward - if he is fit, the title push begins right after Everton. Classic March energy, even in a different month.

The noise around Andre Onana resurfaced, with side chatter claiming United might pivot long term. That is a separate storm, but it adds to the sense of flux around the spine. There was also the familiar carousel of ambition - a Crystal Palace player publicly dreaming of a move to Europe’s heavyweights, United included. It all feeds into the perpetual theatre that surrounds Old Trafford.

Rival fans rolled eyes at the “available after the break” line. We have heard it before. The skepticism is not anti-Martinez - it is the track record. United supporters, though, were quick to share clips and celebrations, a coping mechanism that has value. The reasonable middle asked for a proper ramp-up: minutes off the bench, then a start with an early sub, then full load. Social media rarely loves moderation, but it is the sanest take.

Social reactions

Our title charge starts against Everton. 👀

Anshumaan Singh (@anshum2025)

Lmao Mbeumo snatched Salah’s chain became the face of the league😂

(fan) Trey (@UTDTrey)

🚨🎙️ | Crystal Palace RWB Daniel Muñoz: "It would be a DREAM for me to be able to play for a club like Barcelona, PSG, Real Madrid, or Manchester United.”

(fan) Frank 🧠🇵🇹 (@AmorimEra)

Prediction

Short term, expect conservative minutes if United are prudent - 20 to 30 off the bench in the first game back, then a start capped around 60, before a full 90 in week three. My rival’s read: even that feels fast. One twinge in intensity drills and this slides by another two weeks. The schedule will tempt risk, but the smarter path is rotation, especially against direct, crossing-heavy opponents targeting his zone.

Tactically, United will tilt build-up left to let him break lines, with the full-back tucking in to create a back three. Expect an early emphasis on simple progressive passes, fewer carries into traffic. Opponents will test aerials with back-post overloads and early diagonals. If he navigates those first two games cleanly, confidence returns quickly because his game is built on anticipation more than raw speed.

Medium term, this becomes a durability story. If he logs 6 to 8 consecutive appearances, United’s defensive metrics improve - fewer chaotic clearances, cleaner exits, higher field position. If he stalls again, United revert to a deeper block and reactive transitions. The club’s season will swing on which branch lands.

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Conclusion

Martinez is a winner - brave, vocal, technically sharp. He earned respect at Ajax and carried it to Manchester. But respect does not erase biology. Repeated layoffs punish timing and confidence. United will market this as a turning point. That is fine. The job now is to protect the player from the narrative, not the other way around.

From my seat, the opponent’s plan is simple: press his first touch, run diagonals across his front shoulder, make him turn, and pile traffic on the back post. If he clears those tests in the opening fortnight, praise him. He deserves it. If not, spare him the blame and fix the structure in front - the screening midfielder and the distances in rest defense. Rivalries thrive on noise, but the truth is dull: give him a phased return and demand collective responsibility.

United need Martinez, but they need a healthy Martinez even more. Stretch the timeline, win the season, not the headline.