Manchester United’s season has barely gotten started, with Ruben Amorim already under serious scrutiny.
The 2025/26 campaign was filled with hope and belief just over one month ago, as Manchester United had a successful summer transfer window.
However, the new signings are yet to click, and Ruben Amorim has led the Red Devils to a worst start to the season since 1992, sitting 14th, which is true to the form shown last season.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe flew into Carrington for meetings with Amorim this week, which speaks volumes over the pressure that is building around Old Trafford.
With this weekend’s visit of Chelsea seen as must-win, Amorim is boosted by Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount’s return for the game, which could make all the difference.
However, United remain without a player Amorim has now highlighted the importance of.
Ruben Amorim says Manchester United needs Lisandro Martinez back
It was a positive press conference from Ruben Amorim on Friday, as he confirmed Cunha and Mount would both return for United.
However, he also admitted that Diogo Dalot would not be ready to return this weekend, and neither would Lisandro Martinez.
Martinez is no surprise, as he continues to recover from an ACL injury suffered earlier this year. United are hoping Martinez returns next month and this week has seen images emerge of him working on the grass, which is a major step forward.
When asked about Martinez returning, Amorim had plenty to say to the press, as broadcast on MUTV.
“It’s really important [seeing Martinez back on the grass], when you have that injury, there is a time when you recover a lot of things really fast, and then there is a boring part where it looks like you don’t go to the next step.
“We miss Licha a lot, especially in this moment. We miss his aggression, how aggressive he is in everything he does. I think we miss him, but he is always there, in every meeting, in every training, sometimes he stays to watch. I think we need Licha in this team.”
- READ MORE: Who is Lisandro Martinez? Step inside the life of Manchester United’s tenacious Argentine
Lisandro Martinez can solve Ruben Amorim’s big concern with Manchester United
On his day, Martinez can be one of the best in the world, but his day has come increasingly rare over the past few years due to injury.
However, when fit, Martinez is pivotal for United on and off the ball, with his aggression being pinpointed by Amorim as a quality being missed currently in the squad. This quality could prove key therefore, when considering Amorim has argued the biggest issue at United is aggression in the box.
“I think we are playing well until the boxes. Defending and attacking. We need to be more aggressive in the boxes. We need to be more clinical. The rest I think we are improving compared to last year.”
This is a problem Martinez would definitely help with as he brings far better defensive qualities and aggression than Luke Shaw does on the left of the back three.
Martinez could be like a new signing when he returns.
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