Manchester United handed injury boost as update revealed after Michael Carrick selection shock

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·24 February 2026

Manchester United handed injury boost as update revealed after Michael Carrick selection shock

There was a surprise absentee from the Red Devils squad who edged past Everton in the Premier League

Michael Carrick has allayed new injury fears over Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez.

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The Argentine was a surprise omission from the United squad that travelled to face Everton in the Premier League on Monday night.

Martinez’s absence saw Leny Yoro partner Harry Maguire in central defence as the Red Devils ran out 1-0 winners on their first visit to the Hill Dickinson Stadium thanks to another late goal from substitute Benjamin Sesko, which took them to 16 points from six games so far under Carrick and back into the top four.

Yoro helped United to keep a hard-earned clean sheet on Merseyside, where goalkeeper Senne Lammens made several fine saves on the night to continue his impressive start to life in English football.

Speaking ahead of the game against Everton, Carrick revealed that Martinez had picked up an unspecified injury in training, though played down its severity.

“Yeah, unfortunately he just picked up something during the week,” United’s interim head coach told Sky Sports.

“It doesn’t seem too bad at all, but we’re just kind of working through that at the moment, so he’s not available tonight.

“He’s obviously done well Licha [Martinez], for us, and it’s disappointing. But Leny came in and did particularly well at West Ham so Leny comes in and we’ll try and move forward.”

Though Carrick did not specify the exact nature of Martinez’s injury, The Athletic reported that the 28-year-old was believed to be carrying a calf problem and is expected to be sidelined for one or two weeks.

He looks set to miss Sunday’s visit of Crystal Palace to Old Trafford, with United then visiting Newcastle on March 4. Their early FA Cup exit means they then have an 11-day break ahead of hosting Aston Villa on March 15.

Martinez has struggled with injury over recent seasons, having undergone surgery on a foot fracture back in 2023 and suffered from a number of other problems before tearing his anterior cruciate ligament 12 months ago.

He returned from his latest long layoff in late November and has made 15 appearances across all competitions since then, starting every game under Carrick alongside Maguire before missing the clash with Everton.

United are already without fellow centre-back Matthijs de Ligt due to a lingering back complaint, while Mason Mount is also sidelined with a knock and Patrick Dorgu recovering from a hamstring injury.