Manchester United's deepening injury woes have forced manager Ruben Amorim into an emergency tactical reshuffle, with defender Lisandro Martinez stepping into an unfamiliar midfield role. The Argentine was called upon at half-time during Sunday's 2-1 Premier League defeat to Aston Villa after captain Bruno Fernandes was forced off with an injury.
Martinez answers the call in midfield emergency
The situation at Villa Park saw Martinez, a centre-back by trade, deployed in central midfield following Fernandes's premature exit. With the Portuguese skipper now facing a spell on the sidelines, and youngster Kobbie Mainoo also ruled out, Martinez could be drafted into the same position for the Boxing Day clash against Newcastle United at Old Trafford.
Amorim's options are severely limited. He has just three fully fit senior midfielders available: Casemiro, who returns from suspension, Manuel Ugarte, and Mason Mount. The United boss handed debuts to academy products Jack Fletcher and Shea Lacey against Villa, but it was the experienced World Cup winner he turned to when the game was in the balance.
Martinez has only recently returned from an 11-month absence due to an ACL injury, making his adaptability all the more impressive. "I will play wherever the coach wants to use me," Martinez said back in March 2023, an attitude that remains relevant today.
Amorim's reluctant solution and transfer stance
While Martinez's versatility is a valuable asset, Amorim has previously expressed reluctance to use him in midfield. When the idea was raised in November, the Portuguese coach responded cautiously. "I think a smart, intelligent football player can play in a lot of positions, but it is not the right position for him," Amorim stated. He added that it would require more specific training, though he conceded Martinez could fill in during an "emergency."
That emergency has now arrived. The injury list extends beyond midfield, with defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire also out. Furthermore, Amad, Bryan Mbeumo, and Noussair Mazraoui are away at the Africa Cup of Nations, stretching the squad to its limits.
Despite the crisis, Amorim has firmly ruled out a panic-buying spree in the January transfer window. "What we cannot do is to reach January and try to do everything in urgency and make mistakes," he asserted, emphasising the need for a long-term plan. "If we have to suffer, the club comes first. We need to find solutions."
United's Boxing Day conundrum
All eyes are now on how United will line up against Newcastle. Casemiro's return offers some stability, but the absence of Fernandes and Mainoo robs the team of creativity and dynamism. Amorim's post-Villa comments highlighted the challenge. "I think Kobbie Mainoo is out and Bruno is out. So we will see. We are going to find solutions. No excuses," he said.
Martinez's experience at Ajax, where positional flexibility is ingrained, and his previous brief outings in midfield for United make him the most logical short-term fix. His selfless attitude and defensive acumen could provide a solid, if unorthodox, base alongside Casemiro.
As United navigate this turbulent period, the team's resilience and the manager's tactical ingenuity will be tested. Martinez's willingness to plug the gap exemplifies the required mentality, but whether it proves a successful stopgap remains to be seen on the pitch at Old Trafford.
