Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez is back on the recovery track after suffering an ACL injury and has played as a defensive midfielder (CDM) during his Ajax days. The 27-year-old is decent on the ball and is comparatively faster than Casemiro, who seems long past his glory days. United captain Bruno Fernandes is not the best when it comes to ball recovery and chasing after opposition players to snuff out any counters before they can develop. With Matheus Cunha injured, United will need more firepower and Amorim need not look further if Bruno is back in the number 10 role.
Lisandro Martinez *loves* defending š#MUFC || #MUNCRY
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 5, 2023
Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo are not fully trusted by Amorim, further forcing the gaffer to give Martinez a go in the middle of the park. It need not be a permanent assignment but a short-term gamble until United can try to find a possible player for the role in the January transfer window, TeamTalk said in a report. It was in February that the World Cup-winning centre-back suffered an ACL injury.
Meanwhile, noted football transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano claimed that the Red Devils want to agree a new contract with Martinez as soon as possible. United want him to extend his stay at Old Trafford at least a year before he enters the final year of his current deal which runs out in 2027, reports said. They will wait for Licha to be fit again before initiating the talks, Romano said.
ALSO READ:
- Manchester United vs Chelsea on the cards as Ruben Amorim wants Harvey Barnes to partner Amad Diallo?
- Will Real Madrid re-sign Sergio Ramos in January? Understanding why defenderās return could happen THIS TIME
- Real Madrid to beat Manchester United in transfer race for midfield wonderkid Kees Smit: Report
- Why Real Madrid WILL NOT sign defender Ibrahima Konate from Liverpool EXPLAINED
Manchester United are currently fourteenth on the Premier League table with just one win and two defeats after four games. The club, meanwhile, reported an annual net loss for the sixth consecutive year on Wednesday and forecast lower revenue for the fiscal year, highlighting the club's ongoing financial struggles. The Premier League side posted a 33 million-pound ($45 million) loss for the year ended June 30, an improvement on the previous year's 113.2 million-pound deficit. United has racked up losses of about 175 million pounds since fiscal 2023. The PSR caps losses at 105 million pounds over a three-year period, though investments in infrastructure, academies, charities, and women's football are permitted as deductions.
"The club remains committed to, and in compliance with, both the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules and UEFA's Financial Fair Play Regulations," it said in a statement.
