Lisandro Martinez could make his first Manchester United appearance for nearly two months in their Premier League match at Brentford on Saturday, manager Erik ten Hag says.
Defender Martinez has been out with a medial collateral ligament injury since United’s 3-0 home win against West Ham on February 4.
“There is a chance that Martinez will be in the squad,” said Ten Hag. “We missed him every game because he brings a composure and calmness in the team and a winning attitude which he expresses very clearly. That contributes to our levels.”
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Ten Hag appeared to contradict England manager Gareth Southgate’s suggestion that United full-back Luke Shaw will not be fit enough for selection for Uefa Euro 2024, which begins in June.
“I expect him back before the end of the season,” said the Dutchman. “He is still on schedule and will return to our team.”
Man United v Brentford team news
Centre-back Harry Maguire was replaced during England’s 1-0 home defeat to Brazil on Saturday, while Casemiro missed United’s extra-time win over Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals at Old Trafford with a hamstring injury.
Defender Jonny Evans also missed the dramatic victory with a knock but Ten Hag sounded optimistic after what he called a “wonderful” break.
Afternoon, boss! 👋#MUFC || #PL PIC.TWITTER.COM/S4ZZJJ82SB
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) MARCH 29, 2024
“We have one more training session but it’s most likely that we have some players back in the squad,” he said. “There are players returning – they are on the pitch and back in team training.”
United face a daunting challenge to finish in the fifth spot which is likely to ensure qualification for the 2024/25 Uefa Champions League, depending on co-efficient rankings at the end of the season.
Tottenham, who currently occupy that position, are six points ahead of Ten Hag’s team and hold a 17-goal superiority over them with 10 league games remaining for both sides.
A 3-1 defeat at Manchester City in their most recent away game on March 3 was the only occasion on which United have not won in their last seven matches.
They had won each of their previous six games on the road in all competitions before the Cityzens came back to comfortably win the Manchester derby.
