Carrick Refuses to Risk Lisandro Martinez Despite United Defensive Problems

Michael Carrick
April 2026

Michael Carrick said Manchester United will not rush Lisandro Martinez back for Leeds even though defensive options are stretched. Martinez has returned to training after his calf injury, but Carrick made clear the club will take a longer-term view rather than force him into a high-stakes comeback. Martinez is back on the grass and being assessed, while Matthijs de Ligt is still behind him in recovery and remains unavailable. Carrick said the decision will be based on readiness, not desperation, even with United chasing Champions League qualification and Maguire unavailable in the pasted version of the story