Lisandro Martinez
28-Year-Old
Manchester United
Premier
2026 Fantasy Outlook
Martinez battled back from the ACL injury that wrecked his previous campaign, returning around November and playing a key role in Manchester United's third-place finish in 2025/26 before starting seven games for Argentina at the World Cup. A combative, ball-playing center back, he is a defensive leader when fit, and United are markedly better with him in the side. For fantasy his value rests on clean sheets and being a nailed-on starter, with the caveat that his injury history and a minor knock picked up at the World Cup are worth monitoring in preseason. Assuming he is fit, he is a solid mid-price defender on an improving United side, valued for shutout potential and the occasional set-piece threat.
Returns to lineup with 90 minutes
Martinez had one shot (zero on goal) in Sunday's 5-2 victory over Ipswich Town.
ANALYSIS
Martinez returned to the Manchester United starting lineup having been an unused substitute in the game against Hull. He played the full 90 minutes and had one shot from distance which didn't find the target.
Martinez returned to the Manchester United starting lineup having been an unused substitute in the game against Hull. He played the full 90 minutes and had one shot from distance which didn't find the target.
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More Fantasy News
On bench in return
Martinez (thigh) is back in United's squad for Saturday's final friendly against AC Milan, making the bench, the club posted.
ANALYSIS
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Named in squad vs. Milan
Martinez (thigh) is back in Manchester United's squad to face AC Milan, the club announced.
ANALYSIS
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Targeting return in Milan friendly
Martinez (thigh) didn't play in Wednesday's clash against Leeds, with coach Michael Carrick saying "Marcus [Rashford], Licha [Martínez] and Kobbie [Mainoo] aren't quite ready yet. We're preserving them for this weekend [against Milan in Wroclaw].", Jamie Jackson of The Guardian reports.
ANALYSIS
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Unlikely to face Leeds
Martinez is unlikely to feature against Leeds United at Croke Park on Wednesday after only completing a handful of training sessions but is likely to play at least 30 minutes against AC Milan on Saturday, according to Samuel Luckhurst of The Sun.
ANALYSIS
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Arrives in Ireland for preseason
Martinez has arrived in Ireland to prepare for the new 2026/27 Premier League season with Manchester United, according to the club.
ANALYSIS
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Future remains murky
Martinez is among the Manchester United defenders considered "on trial" this season, according to The Sun.
ANALYSIS
Manchester United plan to make three defensive signings next summer and will evaluate their in-house options before making any moves ahead of the 2027/28 season. Martinez's aggression, distribution and ability to progress possession from the back have made him an important defender when available. While the 28-year-old defender still has prime years ahead of him, he's also prone to making mistakes and missing time due to injury. He'll need to have a career-best season in 2026/27 to remain part of the club's long-term picture.
Manchester United plan to make three defensive signings next summer and will evaluate their in-house options before making any moves ahead of the 2027/28 season. Martinez's aggression, distribution and ability to progress possession from the back have made him an important defender when available. While the 28-year-old defender still has prime years ahead of him, he's also prone to making mistakes and missing time due to injury. He'll need to have a career-best season in 2026/27 to remain part of the club's long-term picture.