United injury lift — Martinez soon
Manchester United may get Lisandro Martínez back “any day now,” easing a troubling center‑back shortage as Michael Carrick’s side prepares a crucial top‑four clash with Aston Villa []. Mason Mount has returned to training, but United could still be without as many as four players for today’s match — a game that matters because both sides are separated only by goal difference in the Champions League race [] [].
Manchester United host Aston Villa at Old Trafford on March 15, 2026, and both clubs sit on 51 points in the table [reported]. skysports.com United’s goal difference is +11 and Villa’s is +5. skysports.com [Yardbarker reported]yardbarker.com that Lisandro Martínez could be available “any day now” for selection, but the club’s official team‑news from March [13 listed]manutd.com Martínez among the players set to miss the Villa meeting. manutd.com Manchester United’s rearguard has been forced to cope without Martínez for several matches — he has missed the last three fixtures with a calf issue, according to Yahoo [Sports noting]sports.yahoo.com — and [Yardbarker highlighted]yardbarker.com the Argentine’s standout passing statistics and ball‑progression influence when fit. yardbarker.com Defensive absences remain sizeable: Matthijs de Ligt has been sidelined since last November [the club has reported], sports.yahoo.com and Patrick Dorgu faces a lengthy hamstring layoff — outlets have suggested up to 10 weeks out and a likely return around mid‑April. independent.co.uk Michael Carrick confirmed Mason Mount has resumed limited group training but “is not … 100 per cent” after only a small amount of work, and the [club said]manutd.com Matty de Ligt, Dorgu and Martínez were unavailable at the time of that update. manutd.com United have already deployed youth centre‑back options Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven in recent matches, according to the Manchester Evening News [report], manchestereveningnews.co.uk and the club’s preview named Victor Lindelöf as another possible senior option if needed. manutd.com Kick‑off for the fixture is scheduled for 2:00pm GMT on March 15, 2026, and Carrick said he would assess player involvement ahead of the matchday decision, leaving Martínez’s final availability to be confirmed in the manager’s pre‑match call. metro.co.uk
