Lisandro Martinez: Manchester United handed major injury boost as star pictured training | OneFootball

Defender has been out since February

The defender has not played for United since rupturing his ACL during the Red Devils’ home defeat by Crystal Palace back in February.

Since then, he has been on a long comeback trail, which has included successful surgery.

The Argentine’s recovery has stepped up in recent weeks, so much so that United allowed him to travel to join up with his international team-mates over the latest international break.

Martinez had returned to first-team training with his club colleagues a few weeks earlier, but to see him unscathed elsewhere will be a huge boost to Ruben Amorim, who has recently revealed his concerns about losing players over the winter due to the Africa Cup of Nations.

Fabrizio Romano reported on Saturday that Martinez would be back in the frame for a return to action with United on his return to England.

Defender Noussair Mazraoui will be one of them should he get called up by Morocco, while forwards Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo are also expected to be unavailable to the Portuguese as they represent Cameroon and the Cote d’Ivoire.

With Mazraoui’s expected absence, Martinez’s return will come as all the more welcomed by Amorim, who will also be bolstered by having a natural left-footed central defender as well.

In recent weeks, he has picked Luke Shaw, a left-back by trade, on the left side of his defensive trio, while teenager Leny Yoro has often fitted in on his non-preferred side.

United take on Everton at Old Trafford next, and, while it might be difficult for Martinez to start that game due to match sharpness and Shaw’s recent form, he could potentially feature off the bench.

After that, it is a trip to Crystal Palace to round off November before United open December with a home encounter against West Ham.