Lisandro Martinez walked off the pitch before halftime on Sunday with another injury. By that point, his dream of back-to-back World Cups was already gone. For Manchester United, the pattern is becoming impossible to ignore.
The Argentine defender is tough, no question. He’s the kind of player fans love because he plays like every tackle might be his last. He can split a defense with one pass in a way no other United center-back can. But none of that matters if he’s not on the field.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
In four seasons at Old Trafford, Martinez has played 110 matches. That sounds like a lot until you realize how many games he’s missed. Seven separate injuries in that span. A broken metatarsal. A torn ACL. Various knee issues and foot problems. He keeps coming back, and he keeps breaking down.
United’s medical staff has done what they can. The club has a responsibility to support its players. But Manchester United is not a rehabilitation center. It’s a business that needs results, and right now the backline is a problem that keeps getting worse.
Matthijs de Ligt is in the same boat. He missed most of last season and had surgery in June. So what’s the plan? Rely on Harry Maguire, who is aging out of his prime, and two inexperienced kids in Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven to carry the load across four competitions? That’s a disaster waiting to happen.
Why the Build-Up Argument Doesn’t Hold Anymore
For years, the argument has been that Martinez is essential to United’s build-up play. The team looks noticeably better when he’s in the lineup, moving the ball out of the back. That’s true. But this summer’s signings change the equation.
Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans both arrived as strong passers. Pair them with Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo, and suddenly you have midfielders who can progress the ball without needing a center-back to do it for them. The team can afford to prioritize a different type of defender now.
Modern center-backs are tall, fast, and athletic. They cover ground quickly and recover when things break down. Martinez is none of those things. He’s 5-foot-9 with average recovery speed. His game relies on positioning and aggression, which works great until the body can’t hold up anymore.
United needs defenders who can actually stay on the pitch. That’s the bottom line.
The Tough Call Ahead
Nobody is questioning Martinez’s heart. He gives everything for the shirt, and he clearly loves the club. But sentiment doesn’t win trophies. The team cannot afford to carry a player who misses such a high percentage of games in a position that’s already thin.
The front office has a decision to make this summer. Either they find a reliable partner who can cover for Martinez’s inevitable absences, or they move on entirely. The second option feels harsh, but it might be the only realistic one.
United fans have seen this story before. A talented player who can’t stay healthy. A fan favorite whose value drops every time he limps off. At some point, the club has to stop hoping and start acting.
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