Former Manchester United defender Wes Brown believes Ruben Amorim might be buzzing with the approaching return of Lisandro Martinez.
Martinez has spent a lengthy time frame 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, however the Red Devils have been keen to take their time together 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 primary team.
And while a return to the matchday squad could still be a number of weeks away, Brown believes that Martinez’s return might be a timely boost for Amorim after his side’s hit-and-miss begin to the campaign.
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‘Luke Shaw has done well on the left of the three, but even with that, I believe a club all the time needs competition for places,’ he told 10betCasino. ‘When Lisandro Martinez is fit, he’s a rock for the team.
‘He was excellent for a few seasons, but he hasn’t played a number of games recently. He’d have to learn to play alongside Yoro and De Ligt, but when he comes back soon, it’ll be like an excellent latest 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 an enormous future on the club, and when he gets back into the side I hope he slots in seamlessly.
‘It’ll be an enormous boost for the club and the manager.’
United teammate Casemiro also heralded the upcoming return of Martinez, insisting the centre-back had been like a ‘machine’ in the course of the final months of his rehab.
‘Licha is on the ultimate straight,’ the 32-year-old said to the club’s website.
‘He’s a soldier who works so hard. He’s all the time within the gym working hard. He’s a machine that works so hard. He’s one in every of those players that likes to work hard.
‘It’s a pleasure to have him here, he works a lot. We arrived [today] at 9am and it’s now 4pm and he continues working.
‘He has the experience to know when to work hard. I might be so glad for his return. It’s not only me — everyone seems to be joyful — because he’s an important player on the club that works so hard.’
Speaking last month about Martinez’s importance, Amorim said: ‘We miss lots Licha, especially on this moment, we miss his aggression in every part he does, we miss him.
‘But he’s all the time there in every meeting. In training, he sometimes finishes his and stays to observe the training. We want Licha on 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 placed on a dogged display to attract 2-2 away from home last season, but haven’t won at Anfield since 2016, when Wayne Rooney’s late strike nicked a 1-0 win.
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