Manchester United cannot afford another season as poor as the 2024-25 campaign was, and while Ruben Amorim’s head will be on the line, so will several players.
Pre-season appears to have brought some good vibes to Manchester United this summer.
After a treacherous campaign, the squad look like they are in a much better place right now which, with suggestion that the post-season tour helped build some team spirit, and it is showing this summer.
However, none of this will matter if United start the season against Arsenal and it becomes clear Ruben Amorim’s system has not improved.
Ineos have let Amorim down this summer with a lack of transfers through the door, however it will be do or die for the Portuguese head coach and this will also be the case for some players who are truly on their last chance.
Mason Mount fits into this description, as does Andre Onana and several others who will likely be on the ‘to sell’ list next summer if they have another poor season.
Lisandro Martinez set for make-or-break season for Manchester United
Another player to fit this mould is Argentine ‘butcher’ Lisandro Martinez, who might be in last chance saloon during the 2025-26 campaign despite his fan favourite status.
Martinez joined United in 2022, however immediately after joining as a new centre-back under Erik ten Hag he faced criticism.
Many argued that Martinez was too small to be a defender in the Premier League, but he proved them all wrong as his intensity, strength and tenacity all made up for his size, alongside his excellent on the ball talents and bravery.
This had Jamie Carragher eating his words about Martinez, however, as good as he is when playing, Martinez’s injury record has prevented him from making much of a mark over the past two years.
After Martinez’s metatarsal injury in 2023 against Sevilla, he has never managed to rack up a consistent run of games and this culminated in Martinez tearing his ACL last season in February, an injury he is still recovering from.
Due to this, when he returns, it will likely be make-or-break for Martinez as another injury plagued campaign will likely have Ineos keen to cash in on the World Cup winner next summer.
But it might go another way.
- READ MORE: Who is Lisandro Martinez? Step inside the life of Manchester United’s tenacious Argentine
Lisandro Martinez has the ability to become a Manchester United legend
It says a lot that Martinez is so beloved by fans despite his lack of availability over the past years. Martinez is nicknamed ‘the butcher’ and it is clear to see why when he is on the pitch, giving everything, which made him an instant icon at Old Trafford.
There is no doubting his ability, with Pep Guardiola even offering high praise to the Argentine.
Guardiola backed Martinez as one of the world’s best after the 2024 FA Cup final.
“Lisandro Martinez is a top five centre-back in the world. He made the difference on this game by playing passes through our defence.”
Fans have tipped Martinez to be like a new signing for Amorim after he was spotted at Carrington this summer ahead of a comeback, and we certainly hope that is true.
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