Manchester United confirm major new injury boost for run-in as key star returns | OneFootball

Good news for Michael Carrick during Dublin training camp as preparations step up for Premier League return against Leeds

Manchester United have been boosted by the return of Lisandro Martinez as they prepare to resume Premier League action.

Martinez has not played for United since the 1-1 draw at West Ham on February 10, missing the last five matches with a calf injury.

A key player for United at centre-back when fit, he also previously spent months on the sidelines following surgery on a fractured metatarsal.

Interim head coach Michael Carrick will hope that Martinez is available for the season run-in as his resurgent side - who currently sit third in the Premier League table - look to secure a return to the Champions League for next term.

Martinez’s comeback has come during a four-day training camp in Dublin, where United are working during a 24-day period without a match caused by the final international break of the season leading straight into FA Cup quarter-final weekend. United exited the FA Cup in the third round this season after losing to Brighton.

Patrick Dorgu also travelled with his United team-mates to the Republic of Ireland as he continues to rehabilitate following a hamstring injury suffered against Arsenal in late January that was expected to keep him sidelined for approximately 10 weeks.

Forwards Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo were also included having withdrawn from international duty with knocks.

However, Matthijs de Ligt was not part of the 25-man squad as he battles a lingering lower back injury that has kept him out since November.

Carrick admitted last month that he was unsure when the Dutch defender would be able to return, raising the prospect that he could yet sit out the remainder of the season amid a threat to his World Cup hopes with the Netherlands.

Full-back Diogo Dalot and goalkeeper Tom Heaton also stayed behind due to illness.

Carrick is due to hold a press conference in Dublin on Tuesday afternoon, with United resuming their top-flight campaign at home against rivals Leeds at Old Trafford next Monday night (April 13).

Harry Maguire - whose one-year contract extension at United was announced on Tuesday - is suspended for that match after being sent off during the 2-2 draw at Bournemouth prior to the international break.