With Manchester United preparing for an imminent January return against Leeds, the availability of Lisandro Martinez is a keen topic among the supporter base.
The World Cup-winner suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury during a 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace and underwent successful surgery in February 2025.
His loss dealt a devastating blow to Ruben Amorim, just as the Argentine’s ball-playing ability began to reap rewards within an intricate system.
However, following a meticulous rehabilitation and months of preparation, Martinez’s November return against Palace opened the door for renewed composure in this much-discussed formation.
Although rival supporters are quick to lament the hot-blooded defender for everything from his height to his temperament, his absence was notable throughout a forgettable campaign.
Sources close to the Theatre of Red have confirmed that Amorim rates the 27-year-old as highly as any player he has worked with, with technical ability and leadership qualities underlined as invaluable assets.
But how much can the former Ajax man enhance this three-at-the-back philosophy, and what exactly did the United faithful lose out on during his downtime?
Lisandro Martinez | A Manchester cult hero
At the beginning of the 2024-25 season, Martinez was intent on recapturing the stellar form that had propelled him to cult hero status in the Northwest, contributing undeniable growth throughout his 32 appearances in all competitions.
However, like his previous two campaigns in Manchester, injury quelled any momentum and added to his growing catalogue of misfortune.
Say what you will about a lack of coherence in this new-look setup, but the 27-year-old featured in eight of the 10 clean sheets obtained at the time of his setback.
There is nothing coincidental about those figures, emphasised by the 1-0 win against Newcastle during his first start since returning from that unfortunate layoff.
Furthermore, despite possessing defensive talent in Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire, Ayden Heaven, and Leny Yoro, Licha provides a unique aura and ball-playing ability, differentiating him from the pack.
| Premier League 2024-25 | Per 90 minutes | Percentile vs Premier League CBs |
| Passes into the penalty area | 0.93 | 98 |
| Through balls | 0.26 | 97 |
| xA: Expected assists | 0.07 | 94 |
| Progressive passes | 6.01 | 89 |
| Crosses | 0.46 | 88 |
| Key passes | 0.46 | 88 |
| Passes into the final third | 4.68 | 72 |
| Pass completion | 89.4% | 65 |
Despite never-ending critique, Amorim revolutionised his philosophy in Portugal and desires a combination of structure and fluidity.
Much of his tactical prowess stems from the build-up phases, where one of his back three will push slightly higher into the midfield channels.
What is unquestionable from the above chart is the value that Martinez offered as a ball-playing dynamo in this new-look setup.
Many have questioned the validity of Amorim’s ideals in the Premier League because of the higher tempo and physicality compared to its continental rivals.
Truthfully, the English domestic game is renowned for its aggressive high pressing, designed to disrupt a calculated build-up from the base.
However, Martinez offers an alternative to counter this ploy with a streamlined press-resistant ability, often overlooked through tactical analysis.
| Premier League 2024-25 | Per 90 minutes | Percentile vs Premier League CBs |
| Carries into the penalty area | 0.10 | 91 |
| Carries into the final third | 1.18 | 88 |
| Total carries | 52.27 | 89 |
| Progressive carrying distance | 160.83 | 85 |
| Progressive carries | 1.18 | 84 |
| Passes received | 54.95 | 75 |
From a defensive perspective, he is often disregarded by mainstream analysis, despite consistently producing substantial output in the majority of his performances.
We’ve touched upon his clean sheet presence above, but his contributions to the team dynamic offer an invaluable asset for Senne Lammens and his defensive partners.
Admittedly, his height provides a credible target for the opposition, and despite his best efforts, this will inevitably be exploited (ranking in the bottom eight percentiles for aerial battles lost).
Still, the duo partnering with him in the last line must supply covering options, which is a specific ploy adopted during Amorim’s tenure in the Primeira Liga.
| Premier League 2024-25 | Per 90 minutes | Percentile vs Premier League CBs |
| Tackles and interceptions | 3.70 | 97 |
| Interceptions | 1.64 | 92 |
| Dribblers challenged | 1.85 | 89 |
| Tackles won | 1.23 | 88 |
| Dribblers tackled | 1.08 | 87 |
| Passes blocked | 0.72 | 85 |
Unfortunately, despite his best efforts to maximise playing time in the North West, Martinez has endured ample spells on the physio table since his arrival.
It is a pain, given his relatively injury-free career before making his dream move under Erik ten Hag. To add some perspective, the Argentine missed 11 games for club and country before arriving in the Premier League.
But despite a skewed opinion and a less-than-flattering acceptance of his undeniable value to this side, Lisandro Martinez may hold the key to substantial improvement this season.
Make no mistake, Amorim will be relishing the prospect of further integrating his on-the-field leader into the heart of his ambitious Manchester project, with the allure of European football still very much alive.
What are your thoughts on the former Ajax player and his significance to this team? Let us know in the comments or across our social channels.
Photo by operations@newsimages.co.uk via depositphotos.com. Statistics captured from fbref.com
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