Former Manchester United defender Wes Brown believes Ruben Amorim will be buzzing with the imminent return of Lisandro Martinez.
Martinez has spent a lengthy period of time on the treatment table after suffering an ACL injury against Crystal Palace in February.
The Argentine international underwent surgery on the knee shortly after the incident, but the Red Devils have been keen to take their time with his rehabilitation, given his chequered injury history.
Martinez has been seen back training on the grass in recent weeks, with reports suggesting the centre-back will soon return to full training with the first team.
And while a return to the matchday squad could still be a few weeks away, Brown believes that Martinez’s return will be a timely boost for Amorim after his side’s hit-and-miss start to the campaign.
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‘Luke Shaw has done well on the left of the three, but even with that, I think a club always needs competition for places,’ he told 10betCasino. ‘When Lisandro Martinez is fit, he’s a rock for the team.
‘He was excellent for a couple of seasons, but he hasn’t played a lot of games recently. He’d need to learn to play alongside Yoro and De Ligt, but if he comes back soon, it’ll be like a brilliant new signing for the manager.
‘Amorim likes to have a left-footer on the left of that back three, and he’s ideal for it. He’s still got a big future at the club, and when he gets back into the side I hope he slots in seamlessly.
‘It’ll be a huge boost for the club and the manager.’
United teammate Casemiro also heralded the impending return of Martinez, insisting the centre-back had been like a ‘machine’ during the final months of his rehab.
‘Licha is on the final straight,’ the 32-year-old said to the club’s website.
‘He is a soldier who works so hard. He is always in the gym working hard. He is a machine that works so hard. He is one of those players that loves to work hard.
‘It is a pleasure to have him here, he works so much. We arrived [today] at 9am and it is now 4pm and he continues working.
‘He has the experience to know when to work hard. I will be so glad for his return. It’s not just me — everyone is happy — because he is an essential player at the club that works so hard.’
Speaking last month about Martinez’s importance, Amorim said: ‘We miss a lot Licha, especially in this moment, we miss his aggression in everything he does, we miss him.
‘But he’s always there in every meeting. In training, he sometimes finishes his and stays to watch the training. We need Licha in this team.’
After a much-needed win against Sunderland prior to the international break, Amorim’s side face a tall order up against Liverpool at Anfield.
The Red Devils put on a dogged display to draw 2-2 away from home last season, but have not won at Anfield since 2016, when Wayne Rooney’s late strike nicked a 1-0 win.
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