Returning Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez faces an unexpected challenge for his starting role, with an in-form Luke Shaw having secured the position during his lengthy injury absence.
According to a report from the Manchester Evening News, Lisandro Martinez has made a highly anticipated return to Manchester United first-team training this week following a lengthy injury lay-off, but his role at the club is set for an unexpected change.
The Argentine defender, who suffered an ACL injury against Crystal Palace in February, was previously considered the club’s leading defender and a guaranteed starter in the back five, where his absence was a loss to the leadership group.
The report highlights Martinez’s determination, noting he had been pushing for a return for weeks.
Manager Ruben Amorim admitted he told the defender he could not travel for the trip to Nottingham Forest last month, and he was not risked a week later for the draw at Tottenham Hotspur, an understandable decision given the recovery period since February.
However, upon his return to Carrington post-international break, Martinez faces new competition.
His once guaranteed starting spot now belongs to Luke Shaw, who has recovered from his own injuries and has featured in 11 straight Premier League matches for the first time since 2023.
Shaw is noted as being there on merit, having performed as one of the top players on the left of the back three.
Martinez is now “waiting for Shaw to slip up to take his chance” in the starting XI. The article suggests this competition represents a significant 18 months ahead for the 27-year-old.
With his contract set to expire in the summer of 2027, the difficulty in displacing Shaw “means there’s a chance his time at the club could be coming to an end.”