Michael Carrick has confirmed the team news for Man Utd’s return to Premier League action against Leeds on Monday.
Martinez is set to return from injury.
Lisandro Martinez is set to be available for Manchester United’s game against Leeds after recovering from injury. Martinez returned to full training earlier in the week as he reached the final stage of his rehabilitation.
The defender last played for United against West Ham on February 10. Martinez suffered a training injury in the build-up to the victory against Everton, which forced him to miss five Premier League games.
The Argentina international’s return is a boost after Harry Maguire’s red card against Bournemouth before the international break. Maguire is unavailable to face Leeds on Monday night because he is suspended, but Martinez is poised to come back into the starting team.
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Providing an update on Martinez during the press conference at Carrington on Saturday, Carrick said: “It’s just a call that we make, we wouldn’t be pushing him into anything. It’s important that the boys are ready. The next game is always important, but the bigger picture is more important.
“He’s back training, which is great, and back on the grass, but we have to make the right decision and make sure he’s ready.”
Carrick added: “Lisandro will be back [for Leeds], Patrick Dorgu is back on the grass, but he’s further away, he’s not training with the team as part of his rehab. But apart from that, we’re in good shape.”
Dorgu travelled to the Republic of Ireland for the four-day training camp to prepare for the run-in, but he completed individual work on grass after only recently returning to light training.
The 21-year-old suffered a hamstring injury during the 3-2 win against Arsenal in January. United have said there is no timeline for his return to first-team action. Dorgu will be handled carefully given the nature of the injury, but he could return in time to contribute in the run-in.
Carrick initially suggested Dorgu had gone off against Arsenal with cramp, but it became clear that the problem was more serious when he limped out of the Emirates.
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Matthijs de Ligt remains sidelined with a back injury. The Dutchman last played against Crystal Palace on November 30 and didn’t travel to the Republic of Ireland for this week’s training camp.
“He’s doing treatment and rehab. He didn’t come because he’s not quite on the grass. Patrick came because he’s a little bit further on. Matthijs is not quite at that stage really, so it was important for him to continue his rehab and try to get him back,” Carrick said.
“It’s different treatment and exercises. He’s not quite on the grass yet. That’s the process you have to go through when you’re injured. Sometimes it happens quicker for others. He’s just working through that at the moment and we’re trying to get him back.”
Carrick was also asked about Mason Mount, who returned from a spell on the sidelines to be included in the squad to face Aston Villa last month. “First of all, it’s great to have Mason back, to miss him so quickly after we came in and came together,” he said.
“He’s obviously had nearly two or three weeks of building up and finding, his rhythm, finding his sharpness. It’s great to have him back. I think his versatility, is a big strength of his.
“He can play through the middle, he can play midfield, he can play wide and he can do so many different roles. He’s certainly a team player, but he’s a player that I really like. There’s loads to come from this. We’ve just got to give him the. time to get fit again and be patient with that, but he’s certainly in a good place right now.”