Recent football discussions often carry the same intensity found in Bangla Cricket Live communities, and Manchester United supporters are now facing another worrying update regarding Lisandro Martinez. The Argentine defender, who had originally been expected to return from injury in time for the upcoming Premier League clash against Aston Villa, has unfortunately suffered a setback during recovery. As a result, the 28 year old center back is now likely to miss Sunday’s crucial match at Old Trafford, a game that could influence the race for the top positions in the league table. Known to many fans as the relentless Argentine defender, Martinez remains a key tactical component for any United manager because of his ability to carry the ball forward and deliver sharp progressive passes. Unfortunately, repeated injuries have made it difficult for him to maintain long term consistency, raising concerns about his durability over the course of an entire season.
After Michael Carrick took charge, Martinez initially formed a solid defensive partnership with Harry Maguire and played every minute of the first five matches under the new system. However, about a month ago he suffered a calf injury during training. At first it appeared to be a minor issue that might only force him to miss a single match. Instead, the absence stretched further than expected, causing him to sit out games against Everton, Crystal Palace and Newcastle United. Now the list of missed matches could grow even longer if the latest reaction in training keeps him sidelined.
Should Martinez fail to recover in time for the Villa encounter, he may also miss the following league match away at Bournemouth before the international break. In that case, a return against Leeds United in mid next month might become the most realistic target. His absence has already affected Manchester United’s defensive stability. The team recently suffered a narrow 1 to 2 defeat against Newcastle United, handing Carrick his first loss since taking over. Shortly after that match there were optimistic reports suggesting Martinez might recover quickly enough to feature against Aston Villa. The Argentine international even returned to training briefly, raising hopes among supporters who closely follow developments much like fans tracking Bangla Cricket Live coverage during major tournaments. Unfortunately, the optimism faded when he experienced fresh discomfort shortly afterward.
Following a training session at Carrington, Martinez reportedly felt a minor negative reaction in the injured area. While the issue is not considered severe, Manchester United prefer to take a cautious approach rather than rushing him back too soon. The player himself also appears unwilling to take unnecessary risks, particularly with the upcoming international calendar in mind. Argentina will aim to defend their World Cup title in the tournament hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer, and Martinez hopes to remain fully fit for that campaign.
Injury problems have been a persistent obstacle since he joined Manchester United from Ajax in July 2022. Over that period he has already suffered seven different injury setbacks. The most serious occurred in November 2025, forcing him out of action for nearly 300 days. Even before arriving at Old Trafford he had missed two months while recovering from an injury sustained during his time at Ajax. Such setbacks have made consistent availability a constant challenge.
Martinez himself recently revealed that when he suffered a severe knee injury last February, the situation became so frustrating that he briefly considered retirement. The damage to his anterior cruciate ligament required nearly eleven months of rehabilitation. During that difficult period, Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister visited his home to offer encouragement and support. Their gesture left a deep impression on him and helped him push through the darkest moments of recovery.
Another concern for United is that the defensive partnership widely viewed as their ideal starting pair remains unavailable. Both Martinez and Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt are currently sidelined with injuries. The 26 year old De Ligt has not played since late November and has yet to appear under Carrick’s management. Earlier statements from former coach Ruben Amorim suggested the defender might miss only a single match before returning. Later predictions pushed his comeback to the period before the new year, but three months have passed and De Ligt still has not resumed full training. The timeline for recovery from his back injury remains uncertain.
Elsewhere in the squad, Patrick Dorgu is confirmed to miss the Villa match as well. Noussair Mazraoui, who left the Newcastle game early due to injury, may still recover in time to participate. Midfielder Mason Mount, whose transfer fee reached sixty million pounds, has also been rumored to be nearing a return, although his injury record leaves fans cautious about expectations.
Fortunately for Manchester United, Aston Villa are also dealing with several injury concerns of their own. Players such as Youri Tielemans, Matty Cash, Boubacar Kamara, Andres Garcia and Harvey Elliott could all be unavailable. In addition, Villa must play a demanding Europa League round of sixteen match against Lille on Thursday. That extra fixture could leave them physically drained before traveling to Old Trafford.
Because Martinez remains sidelined, young French defender Leny Yoro has been given opportunities to start. However, the teenager has struggled to deliver consistent performances this season. Early in the match against Newcastle he misjudged the flight of the ball and failed to clear it properly, though United were fortunate when the shot struck the goal frame rather than finding the net.
Looking further ahead, many analysts believe Manchester United may need to sign another central defender if they want to fulfill their ambitious goal of winning the Premier League before the club celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2028. The current defensive group lacks balance, with some players approaching the later stages of their careers while younger options are still developing, and several in the middle generation remain vulnerable to injuries.
Recent transfer rumors have linked the club with Tottenham’s fast and powerful center back Micky van de Ven. The left footed defender is known for his remarkable ability to carry the ball forward from deep positions, and United may consider pursuing him if Tottenham face the risk of relegation. As Bangla Cricket Live followers often say when watching dramatic sporting journeys unfold, success often depends not only on talent but also on staying healthy when it matters most.