Manchester United return to Premier League action against Leeds on Monday, but Michael Carrick will have a decision to make in central defence, with Harry Maguire suspended.
Michael Carrick backfitting Lisandro Martinez (Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has confirmed that Lisandro Martinez could return from injury to replace the suspended Harry Maguire against Leeds. United return to action for the first time in 24 days on Monday, but Maguire will be absent after being sent off in the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth.
Martinez has missed United’s last five games with a calf injury and has not played since the 1-1 draw with West Ham on February 10. However, he was with the United squad for a four-day training camp in Ireland this week and is ready to replace Maguire if Carrick calls him.
“That’s a call we make,” Carrick said. “We’re not going to be pushed into anything. I think it’s important that the players are ready.
“So, it’s a decision we make. He’s back in training, which is great, and he’s back on the grass. But we certainly have to make the right decision and see if he’s ready.”
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United are still without Matthijs de Ligt, leaving Martinez, Lenny Yolo and Aiden Haven as the only centre-backs available for the game against Leeds. Maguire was handed a one-match ban for awarding a penalty in the draw against Bournemouth, but his ban could be extended if he is found guilty of inappropriate behavior towards fourth referee Matt Donoghue.
Patrick Dorg has also been sidelined since the 3-2 away win against Arsenal on January 25th. He traveled to Ireland but is not yet ready to return from his hamstring injury.
De Ligt has been absent since the 2-1 win against Crystal Palace on November 30th due to a lower back injury. And the Dutch international may not play again this season.
Lisandro Martinez training with the Ireland national team (Image: Getty Images)
“He was obviously not there (in Ireland),” Mr Carrick said. “The reason he hasn’t come is that he hasn’t been on the grass yet. Patrick has come with us and Pat is a little further along. Matta hasn’t reached that stage yet so it was important for him to really continue his rehabilitation and get him back.”
“It’s a different treatment, it’s a different practice. He’s in the gym working, he’s not on the grass yet, he’s not ready for it yet. Unfortunately, that’s the process you have to go through when you get injured. Sometimes it happens faster than others, sometimes it doesn’t go as planned, sometimes it’s a little slower.”
“He’s just going through it right now and we’re trying to get him back on track.”
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