Barcelona are in the picture to sign Manchester United‘s Lisandro Martínez next year and may not it find easy to secure his services.
Last month, the Argentina international was not happy following Manchester United’s 2-0 Champions League defeat to Atlético Madrid. He lashed out at the club’s officials, specifically Jason Wilcox, for not bringing in sufficient reinforcements in the summer.
The centre-back then issued an apology, while it also led to reports linking him away from Old Trafford.
Manchester United man attracting La Liga interest
Lisandro Martinez
His contract expires at the end of this season, with an option for another year. Earlier this month, Sport Witness covered a report from Spain explaining that the Red Devils won’t extend it until 2028.
The same report also explained Barcelona and Atlético Madrid are ready to pounce on the opportunity to sign the 28-year-old.
Sport picks up on that and now covers the latest about the La Liga winners pursuing the defender. Lisandro Martínez is away with the national team, who lost to Uruguay on Friday [local time].
The former Ajax man played the full 90 minutes in the 2-1 friendly defeat at River Plate’s home stadium, Mâs Monumental.
Scouted Manchester United player
Hansi Flick and Barca sporting Deco are keen on signing a new centre-back in January. The Camp Nou side are facing different challenges, and therefore, are looking at players with different profiles.
Their aim is to bring in a central defender who can raise the level of the squad.
Lisandro Martínez fits this requirement, and a Barcelona scout was in Buenos Aires to watch him live in action. The official has also followed Cagliari’s Juan Rodríguez, who was playing for Uruguay.
These two centre-backs have different profiles. The Manchester United player can have an immediate impact, while the other can be for the long-term.
Martínez has recently made up his mind to leave the English club as soon as possible. This would certainly please Barcelona, who must not ignore the latest developments.
On Friday, the Red Devils appointed Mauricio Pochettino as Michael Carrick’s successor. The newspaper states the new manager’s arrival ‘could open a new chapter in Lisandro’s future’. In other words, the former Spurs boss could block his compatriot’s January exit.
Sport Witness Analysis: Martinez injury history
LISANDRO MARTÍNEZ Injury history · Main setbacks & recorded absences
Major setbacks: Two spells following a fractured metatarsal, a medial knee ligament injury and an ACL injury.
Period
Club
Injury
Absence / outcome
July–August 2018
Defensa y Justicia
Unspecified injury
Database records list an absence from 20 July to 11 August; diagnosis not specified.
November 2019
Ajax
Knee problem
Short recorded spell, 2–4 November.
March–May 2022
Ajax
Muscle / hamstring problems
Withdrew from Argentina duty in March with a left hamstring injury. Further muscle trouble ended his Ajax season; absence databases split the spells differently.
April–summer 2023
Manchester United
Fractured metatarsal
Injured against Sevilla on 13 April. Underwent surgery and missed the remainder of 2022/23, returning during pre-season.
August 2023
Manchester United
Ankle / tendon problem
Minor issue after the Wolves match; returned to training that week.
Early September 2023
Manchester United
Foot discomfort
Substituted against Arsenal on 3 September, but subsequently played again before the longer absence below.
September 2023–January 2024
Manchester United
Recurrence of foot injury
Required another operation on the metatarsal problem. Returned against Tottenham on 14 January after almost four months out.
February–March 2024
Manchester United
Medial collateral ligament injury
Hurt his knee against West Ham on 4 February. Returned as a substitute at Brentford on 30 March, around eight weeks later.
April–May 2024
Manchester United
Calf strain
Suffered a fresh setback after his knee comeback. Returned against Newcastle on 15 May.
November 2024
Manchester United
Lower-back injury
Withdrew from Argentina duty following a blow to his back. Declared ready to return later that month.
February–November 2025
Manchester United
Anterior cruciate ligament injury
Injured against Crystal Palace on 2 February. Returned to competitive action against the same opponents on 30 November, almost 10 months later.
February–April 2026
Manchester United
Calf injury
Absent from late February. Returned against Leeds on 13 April; United’s match report records five club matches missed.
July–August 2026
Manchester United
Thigh injury
Premier Injuries identifies a thigh issue; Soccerway records the absence from 20 July to 14 August without a specific diagnosis.
October 2026
Manchester United
Thigh / muscle injury
Withdrawn at half-time against Leeds on 18 October and missed the Como match. Available on the bench against Bournemouth on 25 October.
Latest position: Returned following October’s thigh problem. His absence against Aston Villa on 8 November was due to suspension, rather than injury.
Scope: Main publicly documented injuries and additional recorded absences. Earlier career records may be incomplete. Illness, rest and suspensions are excluded from the injury table. Dates distinguish injury periods from actual competitive comebacks where these are confirmed; database clearance dates can differ from return-to-play dates. No combined days-lost or matches-missed total is given because providers use different coverage and counting methods. Updated: 14 November 2026.
