Lisandro Martinez: Man United must consider summer sale as star suffers fresh injury blow

Lisandro Martinez's constant injury issues at Old Trafford could trigger a search for a replacement for the Manchester United star.

The Argentine, also known as 'The Butcher', has made just 15 appearances across all competitions, and just nine of them have been starts in the Premier League.

Martinez made an incredible start to life at the Theatre of Dreams after he arrived from Ajax in July 2022, but with his playing time plagued by injuries, he has made just over a century of appearances now.

With Matthijs de Ligt and Patrick Dorgu also sidelined long-term, Man United's transfer plans may already be taking shape behind the scenes, and the defence must be addressed by the manager in charge.

Lisandro Martinez is far too injury-prone for Man United

Martinez slowly made a return to first-team games in November 2025, making a couple of appearances off the bench, before becoming a regular figure in the squad from then on.

However, he has missed the last four games for the Red Devils, in which his teammates have picked up nine points from a possible 12, so his absence has not been as hard-felt as some might expect.

Harry Maguire is thriving once again, and so too is Luke Shaw at full-back, while Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven are both seen as players for the future, given their ages.

Of course, Carrick may not be in charge of deciding on Martinez, with his future uncertain once the season ends, but whoever is may find it difficult to rely on the injury-prone defender.

Old Trafford hierarchy have a decision to make on defender's future

Like John Stones of Man City or Chelsea's Wesley Fofana, the centre-back seems to have spent more time on the sidelines than he has in the matchday squad, and Mick Brown told Football Insider that Man United have serious concerns.

It is just a waste of funds, money which could be used to sign a big-name defender, one who can be trusted to stay fit and lead the team out at Old Trafford each week.

While Maguire has slowed down a lot in recent seasons, at least Carrick has been able to turn to the England international at any point and trust him to do a decent job in the middle.

Martinez is already 28 years of age, and there doesn't appear to be any light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to his injury issues. It might be time to offload him this summer.