4 solutions to Lisandro Martinez’s injury for Manchester United, including opportunity for new signing

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Manchester United could be without Lisandro Martinez for the rest of the season.

The Reds lost 2-0 to Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon and matters were made worse by Lisandro Martinez requiring a stretcher to come off in the second half.

It came with a degree of concern because Martinez is not the type of player to go down easily and it was clear he was in significant discomfort.

The injury occurred in the 82^nd minute of the match when Martinez challenged Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sar before falling awkwardly on his knee.

Since then, Argentine journalist Gaston Edul confirmed that the United centre-back had suffered a ligament injury, which means he is likely to be ruled out of action for the remainder of the campaign.

Finding a solution to Lisandro Martinez’s injury

Ruben Amorim will now be tasked with finding a solution to Martinez’s injury in the heart of his defence.

The injury came at a bad time because Martinez had been finding form in a new role that allowed him to push forward into the opposition’s half.

Martinez is a vital presence in Amorim’s defence, having started 15 of United’s last 16 matches, scoring two goals and registering an assist.

The first option for Amorim to consider would be moving Leny Yoro across to the left and starting Noussair Mazraoui on the right side of defence. This way Diogo Dalot can return to the right flank and new signing Patrick Dorgu has his place at left wing-back.

Mazraoui could help United progress the ball in Martinez’s absence.

Alternatively, depending on the player’s recovery from an injury, Luke Shaw could return to the team.

Shaw’s biggest task will be to stay fit as he is the closest replacement to Martinez in terms of how Amorim wants his team to play.

Another option that fits Manchester United way of doing things is to trust the youth. This could involve giving new signing Ayden Heaven a debut.

Heaven will get chances in the team if he impresses, but Martinez’s injury means that debut could come a lot sooner than initially planned.

There are more youth players in the frame of being called up to United’s first-team. Godwill Kukoni can play centre-back and he’s already made an impression on Amorim.

The final option is unlikely as it would see Amorim go back on his set ways. United could revert back to a back four and ditch the idea of defending with a back three. That would mean Yoro could partner either Harry Maguire of Matthijs de Ligt.

Lisandro Martinez injury history for Manchester United

In total, Martinez has missed 56 games for United since joining, spanning over 272 days, and counting (correct as of 04/02//25).

It’s a hindrance when your key players are injury prone and Martinez is missing a key period of football when he should be trying to impress the new head coach. We wish him a speedy recovery.