Manchester United have confirmed the return of Lisandro Martinez, marking the completion of the club's mandatory three-week break for players who represented their countries at the World Cup this summer. The Argentine defender was the last of United's contingent to rejoin the squad, having been given extended time off following his run to the final with Argentina, where they ultimately fell to Spain after extra time.
Martinez's comeback represents a significant boost for head coach Michael Carrick as he continues preparations for the upcoming 2026-27 campaign. However, supporters eager to see the centre-back in action immediately will need to be patient. Given his limited training time since returning, Martinez is unlikely to feature in United's pre-season friendly against Leeds United on Wednesday evening.
There remains a possibility that the defender could see some minutes in the club's final pre-season outing at the weekend, when United face AC Milan. That fixture carries an added layer of intrigue, with the Italian side now managed by Ruben Amorim, who previously held the reins at Old Trafford before his departure from the club.
Martinez's return coincides with United's squad being fully assembled for the first time this pre-season, with the group coming together in Dublin for a period of training as they build towards the new campaign. Among those also reintegrating into the fold is Marcus Rashford, whose situation has attracted plenty of attention following a season away from Old Trafford.
Rashford spent the previous campaign on loan at Barcelona and has not featured in a competitive match for United since December 2024. Despite the lengthy absence, the forward appears set to be part of Carrick's plans as the club embarks on a new era under the manager.
Speaking after United's draw with Paris Saint-Germain last weekend, Carrick addressed questions about Rashford's future at the club, revealing a personal connection to the England international that stretches back to the early days of his career.
"I've played with him. I played in the game he made his debut, so we have a history," Carrick said, referencing the shared history between the two, with Carrick having been part of the United squad when Rashford burst onto the scene as a teenager.
The manager went on to detail the current state of preparations, confirming that the squad has now been brought together in full for the first time this summer. "We have got a full squad this week in Dublin. We fly straight there and have a few days where we have the whole group back together," he explained.
Carrick specifically name-checked several players returning from extended breaks or loan spells, underlining their importance to his squad planning. "Marcus is part of that, and Kobbie and Lisandro. We look forward to seeing them," he added, referencing Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo, and Martinez as key figures now back in the fold.
With the World Cup break now firmly behind them, United's focus shifts to fine-tuning the squad over the remaining pre-season fixtures. The clashes against Leeds and then AC Milan will offer Carrick valuable opportunities to assess fitness levels and begin shaping his side before the competitive season gets underway.
Based on reporting from standard-football.