Manchester United are likely to have Lisandro Martinez back in the squad as they prepare for their Premier League match against Aston Villa.
The Argentine defender has missed the last three games with a calf injury, but he is now closing in on a return.
Reports from London Evening Standard and Premier Injuries suggest that Martinez should be available when United host Aston Villa on Sunday, 15 March.
Before the 2-1 loss to Newcastle, Michael Carrick had said that Lisandro Martinez was “not quite ready” for that fixture. But it looks like the 28-year-old is now in line to play against Villa.
Why Lisandro Martinez has been a huge miss for Man Utd
It is clear that United’s form has dipped over the past few matches. While they managed to edge out wins against Everton and Crystal Palace, the performances lacked fluidity and control.
One area where his absence was particularly noticeable was in possession. United struggled to play out from the back and bypass opposition pressure, something Martinez is excellent at.
Statistically, Martinez stands out in this area. According to Gradient Sports, he averages 7.73 line-breaking passes per 90 minutes this season, third-highest in the league and the best of any United player.
Carrick has previously highlighted how Martinez plays with emotion and intensity, two traits that have been missing from United’s play during his spell on the sidelines.
Leny Yoro has stepped in during his absence and performed well defensively, but does not offer the same quality on the ball that Martinez provides.
Lisandro Martinez’s impact on Man Utd’s 2025/26 season
After recovering from a cruciate ligament injury, Martinez made his return to the Manchester United first team in November, and his presence was immediately felt with an uptick in results.
Since then, he has only been on the losing side once in 14 appearances, and that came against Aston Villa at Villa Park. After Bruno Fernandes picked up an injury in the first half of that game, Martinez shifted into a defensive midfield role for the remainder.
Fans were impressed by how he handled the switch, though he was not deployed there again. Still, Martinez will be keen to set things right when Villa visit Old Trafford this Sunday.
Read more: