Former Red says there’s one ‘fantastic’ United star who’s playing the exact way Erik ten Hag wants

Manchester United fans have been relieved to see Lisandro Martinez make his long-awaited return to action in time for the FA Cup final.

The Argentine has, unfortunately, endured an injury-plagued sophomore campaign at Old Trafford, missing a total of 27 Premier League matches through three separate complaints.

Initially, in September, he suffered a re-aggravation of the metatarsal fracture that ended his maiden season prematurely last April. It was confirmed in the earlier stages of the term that Martinez had to take painkillers to make it through some of United’s opening fixtures, before eventually having to undergo a second operation to correct the problem once and for all.

He proceeded to make a brief comeback in January for three matches, yet on the third, clashed with West Ham United’s Vladimir Coufal and came out on the worse end of the challenge by sustaining a knee injury.

A 21-minute cameo against Brentford on March 30 marked what fans thought – and hoped – was Martinez’s final return of the term as the side approached the run-in. However, he then strained his calf in training and was not named in a matchday squad until last Wednesday’s win over Newcastle United.

He was deployed from the offset for yesterday’s final day at the Amex, partnering the deputising Casemiro at centre-half and featuring for 59 minutes on the Premier League’s final day.

Martinez lauded upon starting XI return

Former Red Phil Bardsley shared his verdict on the 26-year-old’s first start in three months, telling the MUTV panel: “I thought Martinez was fantastic today. There were some good performances.

“Martinez, he just brings a calmness, the way the manager wants to play, as well as his aggression with his defending.”