Manchester United’s defensive injury crisis just got a little less grim. Manager Michael Carrick has confirmed that Lisandro Martínez will miss Friday’s trip to Bournemouth, but offered supporters a clear and welcome timeline: the Argentina international should be fully fit and available after the upcoming international break.
For a club that has been navigating a significant portion of the season without two of its most important central defenders, that news matters. Martínez’s return — pencilled in for the home fixture against Leeds United on April 13 — could hardly come at a more critical point in the campaign.
The road back hasn’t been smooth, though. What was expected to be a straightforward recovery from a calf strain turned into something more complicated when a minor setback in training forced the medical team to rethink their approach entirely.
What Happened to Lisandro Martínez and Why His Return Got Delayed
Martínez was originally expected to return from his calf strain earlier this month. The timelines seemed manageable — until training intervened. A minor setback during his recovery sessions pushed back his projected return date and forced staff to adjust the entire programme.
It’s the kind of frustrating cycle that injury-prone squads know all too well. A player gets close to fitness, takes a wrong step, and suddenly the clock resets. In Martínez’s case, all signs now point to a genuine and sustainable return rather than another false dawn.
Carrick was measured but optimistic when speaking about the defender’s progress.
“He’s getting there. So after this one, I think he’ll be alright.”
That “after this one” refers to the Bournemouth match on Friday — meaning the Leeds United fixture on April 13 is now the realistic target for Martínez’s comeback.
The Matthijs de Ligt Situation Is Far Less Clear
If Martínez’s situation offers a ray of light, the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Matthijs de Ligt casts a much longer shadow. The Dutch defender has been sidelined since November with a back injury — one that was initially expected to keep him out for just a matter of weeks.
Those weeks have stretched into months, and there is still no confirmed return date. Carrick acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, describing it as both similar in nature to Martínez’s injury and deeply frustrating for everyone involved.
“It’s [a] similar [situation] really and frustrating for Matta. He’s obviously trying to work to get back but it’s just the back issue, really, that’s proving difficult. We’ll keep working as hard as we can, to get him back as quickly as we can.”
Back injuries at the elite level are notoriously unpredictable. Unlike muscle strains, which tend to follow more linear recovery paths, back problems can linger and flare without obvious warning. De Ligt’s extended absence reflects just how complicated this particular issue has proven to be.
A Snapshot of United’s Defensive Injury Picture
To understand the full weight of Martínez’s impending return, it helps to see the bigger picture of what United’s backline has been dealing with across the season.
Player
Injury
Sidelined Since
Expected Return
Lisandro Martínez
Calf strain (with setback)
Earlier this season
After international break (approx. April 13)
Matthijs de Ligt
Back injury
November
No confirmed date
The contrast is stark. Martínez now has a realistic, manager-confirmed target date. De Ligt does not — and with no timeline offered publicly, the uncertainty around his return continues to weigh on United’s defensive planning.
Why Martínez’s Return Matters So Much to Manchester United
Losing one first-choice centre-back is difficult. Losing two at the same time, for an extended period, creates problems that ripple through every part of a team’s defensive structure. Cover gets stretched, tactical flexibility shrinks, and the physical and mental load on remaining defenders increases.
Martínez, since arriving at Old Trafford, has established himself as one of United’s most committed and reliable defensive figures. His intensity, his reading of the game, and his ability to organise those around him make him a genuinely important presence — not just a body to fill a position.
His return for the Leeds fixture on April 13 would give Carrick a significant boost heading into what is likely to be a demanding run of matches. And unlike de Ligt’s situation, this one comes with something United fans haven’t had much of lately on the injury front: a concrete, credible timeline.
What Happens Next for United’s Defensive Recovery
The immediate priority is straightforward. United travel to Bournemouth on Friday without Martínez, meaning Carrick must again find solutions from the defenders currently available to him.
After that, the international break provides a window — and, according to Carrick, that window is exactly what Martínez needs to complete his recovery without the pressure of an imminent fixture. The plan is for him to be ready and available when Leeds United visit on April 13.
For de Ligt, the picture remains clouded. The club has committed to working “as hard as we can” to accelerate his return, but no timeline has been offered publicly, and the nature of his back injury makes prediction difficult.
United supporters will be hoping that April 13 marks the start of a more settled defensive period — one that has been a long time coming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lisandro Martínez playing against Bournemouth on Friday?
No. Michael Carrick has confirmed that Martínez will not be available for the Bournemouth fixture.
When is Lisandro Martínez expected to return to action?
Carrick indicated that Martínez should be fit and available after the international break, with the Leeds United home match on April 13 cited as the likely return fixture.
Why was Martínez’s recovery delayed?
Martínez suffered a minor setback during training while recovering from a calf strain, which forced the medical team to change their approach and pushed back his original return date.
When will Matthijs de Ligt return from injury?
There is currently no confirmed return date for de Ligt. He has been sidelined with a back injury since November, and Carrick described the situation as frustrating and ongoing.
What injury has kept Matthijs de Ligt out?
De Ligt has been dealing with a back injury. Initial assessments suggested he would return within weeks of first being sidelined in November, but he has not featured since.
Has Carrick given any update on when de Ligt might be back?
No specific timeline has been provided. Carrick said the club is working as hard as possible to return him to fitness but acknowledged the back issue has proven particularly difficult to resolve.
