Why Lisandro Martinez did not play for Argentina against Venezuela in World Cup qualifier

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Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez was not included in the Argentina starting line-up against Venezuela.

Argentina drew the match 1-1, with Nicolas Otamendi’s early goal cancelled out by Salomon Rondon.

The World Cup champions remain in first place in the Conmebol table, with Venezuela seventh out of the 10 teams.

Lisandro Martinez was not used as a substitute either, with four changes made and the Manchester United star kept on the bench.

• READ MORE: Who is Lisandro Martinez? Step inside the life of Manchester United’s tenacious Argentine

Why Lisandro Martinez did not play

Argentina made the decision not to select Lisandro Martinez, with German Pezzella and Nicolas Otamendi selected.

According to South American outlet 365 Scores, Martinez was not selected as he was simply being rested, as opposed to dropped or being injured.

It was reported: “Lisandro Martinez arrived at the double call-up without any problems to play, but Lionel Scaloni made the decision to give one of his favorite players a rest.

“Affected by the calendar and the large number of matches, the objective is to rotate and avoid injuries to the players.”

It is claimed Lisandro Martinez is ‘expected to start’ Argentina’s next game against Bolivia, who rank sixth in the Conmebol table.

It probably would have been better for Manchester United if Martinez had played the first game rather than the second,

Argentina next fixture

Argentina have a few days until their next fixture against Bolivia, which takes place on Wednesday at 1am UK time.

Martinez will then fly back to England for Manchester United’s game with Brentford at Old Trafford on Saturday 19.

Martinez was rotated out of the Manchester United line-up against Aston Villa and did not come off the bench even after Harry Maguire went off at half-time.

But with defensive injuries beginning to pile up, with Maguire and now Noussair Mazraoui out too, there is a good chance the Argentine is going to be needed as a starter against Brentford.