Manchester United do not like to be without key defender Lisandro Martinez, and neither do Argentina.
Lisandro Martinez‘s mid-season comeback for Manchester United did not last very long.
In just his second Premier League start of 2024, he suffered a knee injury against West Ham and had to be substituted.
The injury was a MCL, as opposed to the dreaded ACL, ensuring there is a chance he makes his return this coming season.
- READ MORE: Who is Lisandro Martinez? Step inside the life of Manchester United’s tenacious Argentine
Lisandro Martinez called into Argentina squad
Argentina named their international squad for their March friendlies last week and there was good news for Alejandro Garnacho, who was recalled.
There has now been a surprise twist, with Lisandro Martinez called up as a late addition to the squad, per ESPN.
TyC Sports reports that while it will be ‘difficult’ for Martinez to have any involvement in the games, manager Lionel Scaloni wants the World Cup winner around the squad.
Their report states it is ‘the decision of the coaching staff to summon him to accompany the group’.
The outlet adds Martinez is still in recovery mode from his injury, unable to provide any further fitness update beyond that.
Argentina are trying to stick closely with their tried and tested formula, as World Cup winners, with three teenagers involved, including Garnacho. Lionel Messi is also part of the squad.
Martinez is a big character and it is understandable Scaloni wants him around the team, considering there have been no international meet-ups since November, and he missed that, and the October internationals, due to his previous injuries.
Copa America 2024 ahead
Argentina have another tournament this summer, which is why Scaloni and his staff have placed extra importance on calling Martinez up, they intend for the Manchester United defender to play a role.
The Copa America takes place between June 20 and July 14, before United’s summer tour of the US.
Argentina are defending champions after defeating Brazil 1-0 in the final in 2021, the first time they had won the tournament since 1993.
They have never retained the trophy, so will be looking to make history this summer at this year’s tournament, which will be held in the USA.
Argentina’s friendly matches later this March against El Salvador and Costa Rica are both taking place in the United States, making these games the ideal preparation for this summer’s tournament.
Lisandro Martinez was part of the squad which won the Copa America in 2021, an unused substitute in the final. He was an Ajax player at the time.
The following summer he signed for Manchester United, following Erik ten Hag, before becoming the fifth Red Devils player to win the World Cup while contracted to the club.
Martinez’s involvement this international break, even just as a supplementary member of the squad, may end up providing some clues over how close he is to a return, if he is able to mix in during training in any way.
Premier Injuries tip Martinez’s earliest possible return date as April 6, but note that his situation is still being assessed.
United came under fire in September for rushing him back to action after he suffered a recurrence of an injury against Arsenal, and nobody wants to see him suffer a further setback.
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