Why Lisandro Martinez's Absence from Man Utd's Match Against Everton is a Concern
The Unpredictable Nature of Muscle Injuries
Lisandro Martinez, the Argentine defender, has been a key player for Manchester United, but his absence from the team's match against Everton on Monday evening has raised concerns. The 28-year-old has been dealing with a suspected calf injury, which has kept him on the sidelines for United's trip to Merseyside. Muscle issues following a lengthy layoff, like Martinez's ACL recovery, are common, but it's surprising that he managed to remain intact for as long as he did.
The Battle for Control
Martinez's injury comes after a series of battles for control between him and his coaches. The player was initially eased back into first-team action after more than nine months recovering from a cruciate ligament tear. However, his reluctance to play under Ruben Amorim reportedly caused frustration for the player, and the Portuguese coach was eventually sacked in January. Martinez ultimately won the war of wills with Amorim and his successors, starting the club's previous 10 fixtures across all competitions.
The Impact of Martinez's Absence
Martinez's absence has opened up a gap for Leny Yoro, but it's likely that Harry Maguire will shift across to the left-hand side of the center back pairing. This was once Maguire's preferred position, but Erik ten Hag lost faith in playing him on that flank during the 2022-23 campaign. The angles are not good for Maguire if he is playing on the left side, and it's difficult for him to defend in wide areas on his left foot. It remains to be seen if Michael Carrick will come to the same conclusion.
The Schedule and Recovery Timeline
The same report from The Athletic claims that Martinez is only expected to miss 'one or two weeks.' Given the sparse nature of United's current match schedule, Carrick won't be without his influential center back for long. Unless Martinez can subvert the reported recovery timeline, which is something he achieved on his way back from the ACL tear, he will likely miss Sunday's visit from a shaky Crystal Palace side. The Red Devils' trip to Newcastle on March 4 will be touch and go, but there is a firm expectation that he should be fit for United's following fixture; a visit from Aston Villa on March 15.
The Need for Martinez's Return
The sooner Martinez can return, the better. Aside from wholeheartedly buying into Carrick's ideals, the left-footer offers the passing angles that his right-footed teammates cannot naturally find. His absence has opened up a gap for Leny Yoro, and it will be interesting to see how Carrick fills that void.
Man Utd's Upcoming Fixtures
Date
Opponent
Feb. 23
Everton (A)
March 1
Crystal Palace (H)
March 4
Newcastle (A)
March 15
Aston Villa (H)
March 20
Bournemouth (A)
Thought-Provoking Question
What do you think about the impact of muscle injuries on players' careers? Do you think Martinez's absence will affect United's performance? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
