Manchester United have provided a fresh fitness update on long-term absentee Lisandro Martinez.
The centre-back made just six appearances in all competitions across the 2023/24 campaign before suffering a reoccurrence of the metatarsal fracture that saw his maiden Red Devils season end prematurely.
Martinez’s defensive prowess and line-breaking passing abilities made him an irreplaceable cog at the heart of United’s backline since he signed in the summer of 2022. He set the board back an initial £48.5 million when arriving from Ajax, with a further £8.5m agreed in add-ons.
However, the United faithful were quick to pinpoint that the Argentine looked somewhat out of sorts following his foot injury. Of the five games he started, he was substituted early in three of them and frequently appeared to be in discomfort when on or leaving the field.
It was later confirmed by the club that the issue had been re-aggravated and he would need to undergo a second surgery to correct the problem once and for all. Elsewhere, reports suggested that Martinez had been forced to take painkillers in attempts to subside the pain and power through matches.
Martinez trains at Carrington
Now, as he continues his rehabilitation, Martinez has been pictured doing individual work at Carrington, filling fans with optimism that his return may be on the horizon – though Erik ten Hag has insisted that there is still a while to go before the stalwart centre-back will take to the pitch again.
