A popular Manchester United player is reportedly in a ‘state of flux’ at Old Trafford ahead of the summer transfer window.
United have already qualified for next season’s Champions League under the interim management of Michael Carrick and have begun preparing for next season.
A list of transfer targets is being drawn up and, according to Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, they are interested in signing Elche centre-back David Affengruber.
The 25-year-old Austria international was a target under Ruben Amorim, who saw him as a long-term option alongside Leny Yoro, but the Portuguese boss was sacked in January before a deal could be completed.
Yoro has shared playing time with Lisandro Martinez and Ayden Heaven on the left side of central defence, with Harry Maguire the regular starter on the right.
According to respected journalist Andy Mitten, who has covered United for over 35 years and edits popular fanzine The United Stand, Martinez is in a ‘state of flux’ and could potentially leave the club this summer.
The Argentine is under contract until 2027 but has suffered from a spate of injuries in recent seasons, including a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
According to the Manchester Evening News, Martinez’s ‘personality and leadership’ are ‘appreciated’ by Carrick and his coaching staff – though it remains to be seen whether the former United midfielder will still be in charge by the summer.
“I think Martinez needs to be playing all the time,” Mitten explained on the Talk Of The Devils podcast.
“I think there’s judgments being made about Martinez, in the same way there might have been about Harry Maguire in December.
Lisandro Martinez (left) could leave Man Utd this summer (Image: Getty)
“It’s like, ‘Oh, you want a new contract? Well first of all, you need to be playing, and you need to be playing well’.
“I think Martinez’s position is in a little bit of a state of flux at Manchester United.
“At one point on Saturday I said that nobody passes through the lines from United’s defence better than Martinez does. On his day, he’s absolutely quality.
“He’s a huge figure in the dressing room. There’s been times early on under Michael Carrick that he was Manchester United’s captain. But he needs to be playing.
“He needs to be playing all of the time. If he’s thinking, ‘Is my future going to be here? Do I need a new contract’, you wouldn’t give him one.