Buenos Aires, Dec 3 (NA) – Manchester United defender Lisandro Martínez, a key player for the Argentina national team, has returned to the pitch after a long layoff due to a ligament injury.
Martínez, who is regarded as one of the top defenders by head coach Lionel Scaloni, played in the team's 2-1 away victory over Crystal Palace this past Sunday. This win allowed Manchester United to climb to seventh place in the Premier League after 13 rounds.
The defender, who came through the youth ranks at Newell's Old Boys and also played for Defensa y Justicia and Ajax (Netherlands), entered the match in the 37th minute of the second half, replacing Luke Shaw, and completed his playing time without any major issues.
This was his first match since suffering a left knee ligament tear in February against the same opponent, which kept him off the pitch for most of 2025.
Martínez, who played in five matches and had standout performances at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, will have nearly seven months to return to his best form and arrive at the next World Cup in good shape. The tournament will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
In a season where Manchester United will only compete in domestic tournaments, Lisandro Martínez has a good opportunity to avoid arriving at major competitions physically exhausted, unlike players from teams that participate in multiple competitions. For them, the schedule can be a true physical grinder.
