Man Utd issue Lisandro Martinez update ahead of Liverpool clash as unusual Erik ten Hag decision explained

Manchester United have provided an update on Lisandro Martinez after the defender was called-up to the Argentina squad ahead of this month's international break.

The 26-year-old centre-back has been sidelined for large spells of the 2023/24 campaign through injury.

He missed almost four months of action with a foot injury sustained in September and, after finally returning in January, the Argentine was forced off against West Ham on February 4.

He has since been on the sidelines as he recovers from a medial collateral ligament injury in his knee.

But earlier this week, many were surprised when Martinez was called up to the Argentina national team squad ahead of games against El Salvador and Costa Rica.

It was previously suggested that Martinez would be ruled out until at least April.

A statement from United in February said: "Lisandro Martinez has sustained an injury to the medial collateral ligament in his knee and is expected to be out of action for at least eight weeks."

However, it appears the ball playing centre-back is making good progress, although United confirmed on Friday morning that Martinez will not play in the upcoming friendlies for Lionel Scaloni's side.

"Lisandro Martinez is not yet ready to return from a knee injury but is joining up with the Argentina squad in the United States," the club's official website reads.

"He will continue 'the final steps in his rehabilitation' with the squad but will not feature in matches against El Salvador and Costa Rica.

"It has been decided that Lisandro will benefit from training with his international colleagues as he regains fitness, rather than staying at Carrington, where there will be few players training next week."

Image credit: Getty

United manager Erik ten Hag described the knee injury that Martinez sustained against West Ham as a "personal disaster".

“He is very sad, very disappointed," he said back in February. "We all feel really with him. First of all it is a personal disaster when it is really bad but also for the team it is really bad because he definitely brings us a lot.”