Manchester United have a few players who clearly make the big difference on the match arena. Lisandro Martinez has missed four Premier League games this season, all of which have ended without a win for the Red Devils. Paul Scholes said earlier this week that Martinez is not up to the level of a Premier League title contender, even when he is injury-free. Now United are in a situation where the future plan with Martinez must be made. Go for the Argentine centre-back, or go ahead with the signing of a new centre-back who is a given to the starting eleven.
It was heartbreaking to see Martinez being carried off the pitch in the game against Crystal Palace, especially when last season disappeared to injury. This could be another longer period out at centre-back, according to the Daily Mail, the operation is successful, but the training process is extensive. It could take anywhere from six to twelve months before Martinez is ready.
This means that Manchester United, who already have Viktor Lindelöf on their way out, will have to plan for the start of next season without Martinez in the matchday squad.
Martinez’s contract runs until 2027, the 27-year-old is a favourite with many United supporters. Still, should United go for Martinez as the long-term solution in the United defence with a “propensity to be injury-prone”, or follow Scholes’ analysis of Martinez’s delivery that he cannot lead a United defence to the Premier League title.
It could be up to twelve months of reflection for the United management before Martinez is back, but in six months’ time, the next season will kick off. Then Ruben Amorim must have a defensive line that delivers every week.
Manchester United cannot cope with another season with “squad partially”.
