Lisandro Martinez injury update: Key news on his Man Utd rehabilitation as future appears clear

Lisandro Martinez is working hard to return from injury as early as possible next season, with Manchester United and the player both satisfied with his recovery progress following cruciate ligament surgery in February.

Recent medical tests have confirmed that Martinez, 27, has not suffered any meniscus tear, and his rehabilitation is on track.

However, neither Martinez nor United will rush his comeback—he will only rejoin the squad when he is fully fit and confident in his physical condition, reported Sky Sports.

Throughout the summer, Martinez is following an individual training programme and will continue working on the grass alone even as the rest of the team returns for pre-season.

It comes as Napoli are among European clubs keen on Martinez but he is seen as a key player for United due to his leadership.

United head coach Ruben Amorim, who was highly impressed by Martinez before his injury, considers the World Cup winner a key part of his defensive plans moving forward.

Martinez is regarded as one of the leaders within the United squad and, with the club undergoing significant changes after a disappointing 15th-place league finish, his return is seen as a major boost for next season.

"He loves the club, he wants to help the team, he understands the context. Like I said, he's a great character, he's really important in the dressing room," previously said Amorim.

Despite interest from Champions League clubs monitoring his recovery, Martinez remains committed to United.

Before his injury, Martinez had settled well into Amorim’s system as the left-sided centre-back, contributing crucial goals and helping the team remain unbeaten in a six-game stretch as a starter.

He is valued for his progressive passing and ability to build play from deep, a skillset that fits perfectly with Amorim’s back-three system, which relies on defenders to initiate attacks while midfielders push higher up the pitch.

Statistically, Martinez attempted and completed more passes per 90 minutes than any other United player last season, underlining his importance in possession.

Although not the quickest defender, his strong reading of the game and ability to intercept through balls make him a vital component of Amorim’s defensive setup.

With United’s summer transfer activity already underway—including the signing of Matheus Cunha and ongoing talks for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo—Martinez’s return could feel like a new signing for Amorim as United aim to bounce back in the 2025/26 campaign.