Add as preferred source on Google
Lisandro Martinez is set to return from his latest injury on Monday against Leeds United, but Michael Carrick must resist the urge to throw him straight into the starting line-up.
After spending over a month out injured, Lisandro Martinez was in full-training for Manchester United during this week’s training camp in Kildare, Ireland.
Martinez looked in top condition as he completed the drills with his teammates, ahead of his long-anticipated return to action.
Against Leeds United this Monday, Martinez will be in line to make his return and could be in the starting line-up for the Red Devils if Michael Carrick decides he is ready.
Would you START Lisandro Martinez vs Leeds?
If he starts, who drops out – Yoro or Heaven?
Getty Images 
Photo By David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty ImagesAyden Heaven should start ahead of Lisandro Martinez
While Martinez is a pivotal part of United’s team, it shouldn’t be a given that he starts upon his return, even with Harry Maguire missing through suspension.
Leny Yoro is a guaranteed starter, with his performances in Martinez’s absence earning his place in the team. But against Leeds, it should be Ayden Heaven who partners the Frenchman over Martinez.
Starting Martinez is an obvious decision for Carrick to make, but straight off the bat against Leeds, it could be a mistake, given he won’t be completely match fit.
Considering how susceptible to injury Martinez is, giving him a lesser workload immediately gives him more time to recover and get to 100% ahead of crucial season-defining games against Chelsea and Liverpool.
This isn’t a case of underestimating the opponent, as Heaven starred against Leeds in January and should be trusted alongside Yoro to beat the relegation-battling Whites.
Carrick didn’t reveal if Martinez was ready to start during his pre-game press conference, which is a sign he shouldn’t be pushed into starting.
How confident are you ahead of Man Utd’s home game vs Leeds?
Getty Images Heaven and Leny Yoro should get a chance for Manchester United
While it was good news that Harry Maguire signed his new United contract this week, the truth is that he isn’t the future for the club, and neither is Martinez.
This is due to age and the persistence of injury in Martinez’s case, but it means United needs to at least begin pushing toward the future, which is a Yoro and Heaven partnership.
These two haven’t been played in a back-two together, but have individually proven they can be trusted and relied on, which should now see United make that call against Leeds.
Martinez should start against Chelsea, but Leeds will come too soon and allow United fans to catch a glimpse of the future.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox