Overview
- Lisandro Martinez was forced off before half‑time of Argentina’s World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday and left the pitch visibly upset.
- Manchester United are awaiting a full medical assessment of the problem and have said they are concerned about his fitness ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
- Martinez carries a four‑season injury record at United that includes two metatarsal fractures and a cruciate ligament tear that kept him out for nine months, and those repeated problems shape the club’s caution.
- With Matthijs de Ligt recovering from surgery, United’s centre‑back options would rely on veteran Harry Maguire and the inexperienced duo of Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven if Martinez is sidelined.
- Martinez enters the final year of his contract, which increases pressure on United to decide between extending an injury‑prone but high‑quality ball‑playing defender or prioritising a taller, faster and more durable recruit this summer.