- Manchester United duo set to return
- Been over three months since Lacey started with the first team
- Why have we missed Lisandro Martinez so much
Manchester United will receive a major boost against Leeds United tonight, with both Lisandro Martinez and Shea Lacey set to return to the first-team squad.
SullyTalkz (via UnitedMuppetiers) reports that both Martinez and Lacey will return to Carrick’s squad against Leeds. It’s welcome news for the Reds as they look to capitalise on many of their top five rivals dropping points on the weekend.
Just over three months have passed since Lacey last featured. He made his debut in a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa and impressed in that first outing under Ruben Amorim, before featuring against Burnley and Brighton & Hove Albion under Darren Fletcher.
However, his final minutes on the pitch did not go to plan. After picking up a yellow card for a late challenge on Yasin Ayari, Lacey reacted angrily to another foul decision by throwing the ball away, which brought a second booking.
Martinez has not featured since United’s 1-1 draw with West Ham United. He completed the full 90 minutes in that match but picked up a calf injury, which has kept him sidelined since.
Manchester United vs Leeds: Martinez and Lacey’s Importance
Whilst Lacey can be utilised as an effective impact substitute, he would not be dominating games for United. It is, of course, good to see the winger back—especially given how things ended—and a 15 to 20-minute cameo off the bench could still prove useful for the youngster.
Martinez brings a far more significant boost to the side. By far the best centre-back on the ball at the club, partner Leny Yoro recently said he has “never seen a centre-back with this high an ability with the ball. It is just crazy.”
The biggest issue without the Argentine in the side is United’s struggle to build from the back.
As a naturally left-footed player, Martinez offers balance that Michael Carrick has not consistently had, with a preferred pairing of Maguire and Yoro—both right-footed. Ayden Heaven, who shares that left-footed profile, has seen only limited minutes during Martinez’s absence.
But it is the Argentine’s footballing brain that truly elevates him on the ball.
He handles pressure with ease, dictates play with an expansive passing range, and regularly draws opponents in before releasing it at the right moment—often resembling a defensive midfielder more than a centre-back, even if that is where he operates.
Whilst the likes of Yoro, Maguire, Heaven, and even Matthijs De Ligt have started to improve their on-the-ball ability, none of them come even close to having the ability Martinez has.
No other United centre-back would be able to play a line-breaking ball under pressure like the Argentine can.
Will Both Feature vs Leeds?
With tonight’s much-anticipated fixture fast approaching, we can only guess at this stage whether either Lacey or Martinez will feature.
Whilst neither looks likely to start, we could still see brief cameos off the bench—giving Martinez a chance to build match fitness and Lacey an opportunity to regain confidence.
With just seven games left of the Premier League season, Manchester United must win to hold onto third place and secure a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
