Lisandro Martinez: The inside story of vital defender’s injury return | OneFootball

To date, Lisandro Martinez’s Manchester United career has followed an all too familiar pattern.

Injury woes

The Argentine is a fan favourite and when he has been on the pitch, he has been one of the club’s most impressive signings of recent years.

He played a crucial role in final victories over both Newcastle United and Manchester City in the Carabao and FA Cup.

Nonetheless, he has missed 102 matches for United and Argentina since he joined the club in 2022.

His latest has been the most severe as his cruciate ligament damage has meant that he has been out of action since the start of February this year.

Return to grass

The whole United fanbase would have been delighted with news yesterday that the combative defender has returned to first team training with his teammates.

The club’s official website has delved into the story of his long and patient recovery since last winter.

They describe the work the Argentine has put in as “relentless” as he has battled to get onto the pitch with his teammates.

The comeback has been “meticulously planned and gradual in its process.”

Last week saw the player complete his first time joining in with the earlier phases of training with his teammates since the injury.

Delight

Ruben Amoirm and Manuel Ugarte welcomed him onto the pitch and Joshua Zirkzee “greeted his colleague with a bear hug, lifting him off the ground with a clear sign of his enthusiasm to see our no.6 back among things.”

The 27 year old was right back into the thick of it, offering advice and encouragement during the session.

There was gentle introductions over the weekend but a big step was taken on Thursday when he joined a much bigger group of senior and youth players.

He was greeted with a handshake and hug by Amorim and got right into it with work in a group of five with the ball.

“Fellow South Americans Casemiro and Ugarte were there, along with Diogo Dalot and Benjamin Sesko” as Martinez got the feel for first team training in earnest again.

The brave defender played his part in a game with small goals, playing the role of last line of defence. The site claims, “encouraged by Ruben and the coaches, he exuded authority and was again influential when moving to a bigger-sided game, helping dictate matters and bring assurance to the backline.”

There was also a world-class ball threaded through to Bruno Fernandes, giving a taste of what United fans hope will brighten their late November and December when he will likely return to action.

Featured image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images

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