Carrick Reveals Crucial Man Utd Defender's Fitness Status Ahead of Palace Showdown
Manchester United centre-back Lisandro Martínez is anticipated to be sidelined for just "a few days" while recovering from the knock that kept him out of Monday evening's victory against Everton. However, the Argentine defender will definitely miss Sunday's home clash with Crystal Palace.
Martínez gradually returned to action in late 2025 following the ACL problem that kept him out for nearly nine months from last February. Since late December, he has been a regular starter, establishing an effective defensive pairing with Harry Maguire during the opening period of Michael Carrick's tenure.
Speaking about team updates before the Palace fixture, Carrick dismissed concerns about another serious setback for the important defender.
"It's going to be a few days," the caretaker manager informed MUTV. "With any luck, it won't drag on too long. We'll evaluate him in the coming day or two and determine his status."
Carrick had previously clarified following the Everton game that Martínez's surprise unavailability at the Hill Dickinson Stadium resulted from a minor problem during preparation. "It doesn't appear serious at all, but we're currently managing that situation, so he's unavailable," he stated then.
Who Will Start in Man Utd's Defense vs. Crystal Palace?
Who Will Start in Man Utd's Defense vs. Crystal Palace?
Leny Yoro was inserted into the defensive line against Everton as a direct substitute for Martínez. Carrick is presently also missing Matthijs de Ligt due to injury, while former Ruben Amorim favorite Ayden Heaven made a substitute appearance on Monday evening.
The defensive setup, featuring centre-backs Maguire and Yoro supported by Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw on the right and left flanks respectively, will probably stay unchanged.
Following the Palace encounter on March 1, the Red Devils return to play just three days afterward against Newcastle United. Whether Martínez might be available for that fixture remains uncertain, but there's then a beneficial 11-day gap in the Premier League schedule before United travel to face Bournemouth.
When Will Man Utd's Other Injured Players Return?
When Will Man Utd's Other Injured Players Return?
Following Martínez in early or mid-March, the next injured player expected back might be Mason Mount. The attacking midfielder hasn't featured since netting a ruled-out goal in the final moments of Carrick's inaugural match in charge, against Manchester City, six weeks ago due to an undisclosed injury.
"Mason is making progress, Matthijs is slightly behind Mason but, whenever we can get the players back, we'll return them as quickly as possible," Carrick explained. "Patrick [Dorgu] is somewhat further along the timeline really, in terms of several weeks but he's developing well."
Dorgu had been impressive as a left winger in the January victories over both Manchester City and Arsenal, netting excellent goals in both matches. After being substituted against Arsenal, it was indicated the Danish international might be out for up to 10 weeks recovering from a thigh problem.
Dorgu has now been absent for five weeks, while the complete 10-week timeline would mean a comeback at the beginning of April.
Denmark head coach Brian Reimer has declined to eliminate Dorgu from 2026 World Cup qualifying playoffs against North Macedonia and then possibly Republic of Ireland or Czechia in the final week of March. "I understand that Patrick dreams of being prepared," Reimer commented, describing the playoff fixtures as the player's "greatest motivation" in his rehabilitation process.
If Denmark, who already lost the opportunity for automatic qualification by faltering late during the qualifying group stage, succeed they will secure a third consecutive World Cup appearance.