Man United 'starting to have serious doubts' about Lisandro Martinez as January plan revealed

Manchester United have serious concerns about the performances of Lisandro Martinez after a disappointing start to the season.

The 28-year-old was at fault as Dominic Solanke headed home a late equaliser during the 1-1 draw against Tottenham at Old Trafford, adding to their worries about his recent form.

Michael Carrick is believed to have been left frustrated by the Argentina international, who was also at fault for goals conceded in previous games against both Man City and Ipswich Town.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Martinez is "not good enough" to start every week under Carrick and could find himself replaced in January.

The Red Devils have been eyeing a major overhaul of their defensive options in 2027, and the addition of a new centre-back is increasingly becoming a priority.

Martinez's performances have been closely scrutinised since his move to Man United in 2022, but even four years on, there are concerns about his suitability in a top Premier League side.

Could Man United replace Lisandro Martinez in January?

Brown told Football Insider back in July that Man United had doubts about Martinez's long-term future, although they believed he would still play an important role under Carrick.

Those doubts have lingered and have now begun to grow after he has been at fault for multiple goals conceded, and cost his side a valuable three points against Tottenham.

Questions are now being asked about whether Martinez is of the required level to start every week for a side with Man United’s ambitions, and he could soon be replaced.

"I’m starting to have serious doubts about Martinez, and I think Man United are as well," Brown told Football Insider.

"It’s a problem with the way he defends, he likes to go man-to-man, which can often lead to him being dragged into positions he doesn't want to be in like we saw with Solanke.

"f you’re going up against a big striker like Solanke, and you want to be tight to him, you have to be very physical and that has always been a bit of a concern about Martinez.

"So eventually he gets dragged deeper and deeper, gets the wrong side of his man, and it leads to Tottenham scoring an equaliser and costing Man United three points.

"It’s not the first time he’s been at fault for a goal this season either, he dropped too deep again against Man City and played everybody onside, and he made a mistake against Ipswich.

"That’s not good enough for a side who want to be pushing up the table like Man United do, you can’t have a defender who has already cost you three goals in six games.

"So if they’re going to sign a new centre-back in January or even next summer, it wouldn’t surprise me if Martinez found himself out of the side."

What is the latest on Martinez's contract situation?

Another interesting point surrounding Martinez's future is his contract situation, as the centre-back’s current deal is set to expire at the end of the season with no new deal on the table.

Given his role in the starting XI under Carrick, there has been a general feeling that he would be handed a new deal, but doubts are now growing about his long-term future.

Football Insider revealed last month that Man United are planning to trigger an optional extension in Martinez’s deal, which will see his stay extended until 2028.

After he put pen to paper on a five-year deal in 2022, the club reserved the right to extend his deal by a further year, and they are expected to do so regardless of their concerns.

That will not guarantee his future at the club, and there is a possibility they will just be preserving their asset, but they are reluctant to see him leave for free.