Manchester United had a mini-defensive crisis ahead of the game with Nottingham Forest.
Victor Lindelof was ill, while Harry Maguire was only fit enough to be on the bench. Fortunately Raphael Varane returned, while Lisandro Martinez was still not available after Argentina’s World Cup win.
United came through well enough, winning 3-0 with Luke Shaw filling in at centre-back.
Martinez’s attention is turning back to club football too.
READ: Manchester United player ratings v Nottingham Forest
The World Cup winner reacted positively to Manchester United’s win. He congratulated the team on the victory in the team’s final home match of the year.
The Argentina defender responded to the club’s message on Twitter hailing the three points and performance.
It’s unclear if Lisandro Martinez will be back for Manchester United’s next game on New Year’s Eve, away at Wolves.
If he is back in Manchester, he has not yet been pictured, and was not at Old Trafford for the win.
Upon his return, United will want to test him physically and check he is in condition to play.
Erik ten Hag knows him well from his time at Ajax and will know he can trust his defender to deliver a fully committed performance if available.
Varane was a class act against Forest, and Harry Maguire played the final 15 minutes after his illness too.
If United have to wait until 2023 to see Martinez in action again, so be it. The team can cope for one more match.
Still, hurry back Lisandro, we do miss you!
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
