Manchester, August 26, 2025 – Manchester United’s defensive woes have deepened after key center-back Lisandro Martínez was ruled out long-term with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
According to Transfermarkt, Martínez sustained the serious knee injury in early February 2025. Medical examinations confirmed a torn ACL, requiring surgery and sidelining the Argentine defender until the end of the year.
A Major Blow to United’s Backline
Since joining United from Ajax in the summer of 2022, Lisandro Martínez has quickly established himself as the leader of the defense with his fierce, committed, and reliable style of play. His absence leaves manager Ruben Amorim with a significant selection headache, especially as the Red Devils head into a decisive stretch of the new season.
Martínez not only provides stability at the back but is also crucial in building play from deep. Without him, United lack a natural left-footed center-back, weakening their ability to progress the ball effectively from their defensive third.
Hopes for a Comeback
United’s medical staff report that Martínez’s recovery is progressing positively, but it will still take several more months of treatment and conditioning before he can return at full strength. Fans are hopeful he will be back by early 2026, just in time to play a key role in the latter stages of the campaign.
In the meantime, United will have to rely on the likes of Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelöf, and emerging youngsters. Still, the absence of Martínez — widely seen as the defensive cornerstone of the squad — will pose a major challenge for the Red Devils in both the Premier League and the Champions League in the 2025/26 season.