Manchester United are facing a significant setback with the injury to defender Lisandro Martinez.
Ruben Amorim acknowledged after United’s loss to Crystal Palace that Martinez’s injury seemed to be serious. It was one of those injuries where the severity was immediately apparent from the player’s reaction, as the centre-back had to be stretchered off the pitch.
Martinez is expected to miss the remainder of the season, and reports from Argentina suggest he has torn his ACL, meaning he will be sidelined for most of 2025. This is devastating news for the Argentine, who had been in excellent form throughout January, and his teammates are rallying behind him.
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Lisandro Martinez’s Replacement
Losing Martinez is a major blow for Manchester United. While Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt, and Leny Yoro are likely to form the core of the defence, the situation isn’t entirely straightforward. Victor Lindelof could be called upon in a stop-gap role, while new signing Ayden Heaven may also be thrust into the starting lineup.
However, the player best positioned to step up now that he’s back in training is Luke Shaw. Shaw has previously played as part of a back three, a role that suits him well. Given his ongoing injury concerns, playing as a centre-back is less demanding than operating as a wing-back, where he would be expected to make frequent runs up and down the flanks.
Amorim utilized Shaw in this position upon his return in December before Shaw’s latest injury, and it seems likely that he will continue in this role, especially with Martinez’s injury.
Luke Shaw to Support Patrick Dorgu
Luke Shaw is a quality player when fit, and his shift to centre-back allows United to integrate him into the same lineup as Patrick Dorgu. Dorgu has been signed to help expand United’s attacking play, and positioning Shaw behind him at left centre-back could prove to be a clever move.
Shaw’s deep understanding of the left-back role means he will be alert to support Dorgu when he ventures forward, ensuring defensive stability while providing assistance in attack.
Although Shaw’s fitness remains a concern, he is nearing a return, and it looks increasingly likely that he will replace the injured Martinez in the centre of defence.
