Man Utd Star's Injury Nightmare Deepens—609 Days Lost and Still Counting After Latest Blow

Manchester United are anxiously awaiting news on the severity of the injury Lisandro Martínez sustained during the 2026 World Cup final.

Martínez was substituted just before the halftime whistle at MetLife Stadium, having appeared to pick up a knock while fouling Spain attacker Mikel Oyarzabal moments prior. The medical team didn't wait until the break to intervene, with Nicolás Otamendi immediately brought on as his replacement.

The precise nature of the injury remains unknown. His gesture toward his thigh at the time suggests a possible muscular issue. There is some cautious optimism that serious damage may have been avoided, as Martínez returned after the extended halftime break to take a seat on the bench, showing no visible signs of limping or requiring assistance. He also participated fully in the post-match medal ceremony.

Lisandro Martínez Injury Concerning for Man Utd

Any potential setback is unwelcome news for Manchester United. When healthy, Martínez ranks among the finest ball-playing center backs in the game and commands enough respect at Old Trafford to have been handed the captain's armband during Bruno Fernandes's brief spell on the sidelines last season.

Sadly, keeping fit has been a persistent challenge since his move from Ajax in 2022. Martínez was sidelined for nine months between February and November 2025 due to an ACL injury, and later missed several weeks with a calf problem. Over the past four seasons, Transfermarkt estimates he has missed 108 matches across club and international football, accumulating 609 total days out injured.

Martínez will now enjoy a three-week rest period before returning to club duties next month. His arrival back at Manchester United's Carrington training base following the mandatory recovery window is expected to align with the closing stages of the team's summer schedule from August 10. Later that week, the Red Devils are scheduled to take on Leeds United in Dublin, Ireland and AC Milan in Wrocław, Poland.

Regardless of any injury concern, Martínez's participation in either fixture could be in doubt given he will have only just resumed training by that stage. It is yet to be determined whether, even if unavailable for selection, he would travel with the squad or train separately back in Manchester. Benjamin Šeško was absent from the squad for Saturday's loss to Wrexham in Helsinki, Finland for similar reasons.

Ayden Heaven Ready to Step Up

Martínez holds a place in Manchester United's first-choice starting lineup, likely alongside a rejuvenated Harry Maguire who carries extra motivation to silence his critics following his own unexpected World Cup omission.

With Matthijs de Ligt still recuperating from back surgery performed in May to address a long-standing issue, United's immediate candidates to partner Maguire are Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven.

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Heaven, like Martínez, is left-footed and therefore the more natural fit to restore balance to the backline. The 19-year-old first came to the fore under former United boss Ruben Amorim in a back three. Michael Carrick's shift to a more traditional two-center back setup, coinciding with Martínez hitting top form following his ACL recovery, reduced his opportunities — but Heaven stepped in admirably to cover during a Martínez suspension in late April and early May.

Heaven was always set to have a chance to build a partnership with Maguire throughout preseason due to Martínez's World Cup commitments. But with a potential injury now added to the equation, that opportunity could extend well beyond the summer months.