Lisandro Martínez’s time at Manchester United might be approaching a crossroads. The Argentine defender, still representing his country at the World Cup, has reportedly been offered to Atlético Madrid. And that puts United in an uncomfortable spot.
The report comes from El Chiringuito TV. It doesn’t say whether United pushed this themselves, if agents are testing the water, or if Atlético plans to make a real offer. But the fact that Martínez’s name is floating around Europe right now tells you something about where things stand at Old Trafford.
On the surface, this would be a weird one. Michael Carrick trusts Martínez. He’s the kind of aggressive, vocal center-back who plays those line-breaking passes that let United build from the back. When he’s healthy, he’s one of the first names on the teamsheet. But there’s a catch, and it’s a big one.
The injury problem that won’t go away
Martínez has missed significant chunks of time since arriving from Ajax. Foot fractures, knee issues, soft tissue problems. The list keeps growing. Every time he looks like he’s building a run of games, something happens. Carrick has publicly backed him. Sky Sports showed the United manager defending Martínez after a controversial red card in April. There’s clearly a bond there. But availability matters, and his track record is a real concern.
Here’s the other piece: Martínez’s contract runs through 2027, with United holding a one-year option. That gives them some breathing room. They don’t have to sell this window. But letting uncertainty linger into the season isn’t ideal either. The smart move is probably to trigger that extension and start talking about a new deal. Because if they wait too long, the leverage shifts.
What United should actually do
Selling Martínez right now only makes sense if Atlético puts a monster offer on the table and Martínez makes it clear he wants out. Otherwise, United should say no. They’re still rebuilding the squad. Losing an influential defender without a clear replacement lined up would just create another hole Carrick has to patch. And those have been piling up.
When fit, Martínez brings a personality and edge this defense doesn’t have without him. That’s not easy to replace. The question is whether United trusts his body enough to build around him long-term. That decision is coming sooner than they’d probably like.
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