

Key Takeaways:
- Lisandro Martinez resumed first-team training with Manchester United this morning after suffering a cruciate ligament tear in February during a match against Crystal Palace
- This marked his second serious knee injury within two seasons, having previously spent almost a year out recovering from ligament damage
- The club hopes Martinez will be able to return before the end of the year, with his current contract running until summer 2027 and a unilateral extension option
Recovery Progress After Recurring Injury
Central defender Lisandro Martinez has taken a significant step forward in his recuperation by joining Manchester United’s first-team training this morning, according to reports from English media. The Argentine international, who sustained a cruciate ligament tear to his knee in February during a fixture against Crystal Palace, underwent subsequent knee surgery. Notably, this setback followed another lengthy spell on the sidelines last season, where he spent nearly one year recovering from damage to the same ligament.
🚨🇦🇷 Boost for Manchester United as Lisandro Martínez returns to full team training.
He’s gonna be back on the pitch in November. pic.twitter.com/ePM7SUDX78
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 30, 2025
Club’s Plans for Martinez’ Return
Although Martinez did not participate in the entirety of the team training session, his partial involvement is viewed as a meaningful advance in his road to recovery and a step closer to returning to competitive action. The expectations from manager Ruben Amorim and Manchester United’s sports-technical management are that Martinez could return to play before the turn of the year.
Contract and Career Overview
Martinez signed for Manchester United from Ajax in the summer of 2022, with the club investing nearly 60 million euros for his transfer. His on-pitch determination and fighting spirit quickly endeared him to United supporters. The Argentine defender’s current contract is set to run until the summer of 2027, with the Red Devils retaining a unilateral option to extend the deal by one further season.
| Player | Club | Position | Initial Injury Date | Type of Injury | Transfer Fee | Contract Expiry | Extension Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lisandro Martinez | Manchester United | Central Defender | February 2024 | Cruciate Ligament Tear | Nearly 60 million euros | Summer 2027 | 1 season (unilateral) |




