Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez might not line up where everyone expects when Argentina kicks off its World Cup title defense. According to reports out of Argentina, the rugged center-back is being seriously considered for a left-back role against the team’s opening opponent — a move born out of injury concerns rather than tactical preference.
The concern centers on Nicolas Tagliafico, the veteran left-back who has been a reliable presence for Lionel Scaloni. His recent injury has left the coaching staff scrambling for options, and while Facundo Medina is the natural fit, Martinez’s name keeps surfacing as a potential stopgap.
Diario Hoy reports that Scaloni and coach Luis Martin have held discussions about how to cover the position, with Martinez emerging as an unconventional candidate. The 28-year-old has experience at full-back — he filled in there for Manchester United during the final weeks of Erik ten Hag’s tenure, including starts against Brentford and Fenerbahce. He even played left-back in a 5-2 EFL Cup win over Leicester City under Ruud van Nistelrooy.
But here’s the twist: Martinez is at his best as a center-back. That’s where he dominated last season under Michael Carrick, helping United climb to third in the Premier League after returning from a long ACL recovery. His aggression on the ball and reading of the game made him a fixture in the lineup — every game he missed was due to injury or suspension.
Still, the team hasn’t confirmed anything. The report suggests that Medina is currently the frontrunner for the left-back spot, partly because he played there in a recent friendly against Iceland. If Medina gets the nod, Martinez would start at center-back alongside Nicolas Otamendi, with Cristian Romero held back for a later group match against Austria to manage his workload after a layoff.
There’s another scenario too: Romero and Otamendi paired at center-back, with Martinez shunted out wide — a role he’s occasionally played in World Cup qualifiers. Neither Nicolas Gonzalez nor Valentin Barco is reportedly under consideration for the position, according to the same source.
For Martinez, the personal stakes are high. He was an unused substitute in the 2022 World Cup final. Two years later, he wants to be on the pitch — even if it means playing out of position. United fans will be watching closely, too, not just for performance reasons but because the club is in the market for a left-back this summer. Martinez’s versatility could influence how aggressively they pursue that signing.
Martinez has battled injuries but remains indispensable when fit. Argentina’s World Cup run may hinge on whether he can adapt — and whether Scaloni trusts him to do it.
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