Lisandro Martínez

Key strength: Adaptability

Versatile player

Manchester United's campaign sits precariously in 4th position, yet their defensive heartbeat Lisandro Martínez remains frustratingly absent—a World Cup champion reduced to mere 98 minutes across three fleeting appearances this season. The Argentine 'Butcher', standing at an improbable 5'9", has battled persistent injury setbacks that have sidelined his signature tenacity and ball-playing excellence. Despite his €35 million market value and career tally of 12 goals and 15 assists from 271 appearances, United have been deprived of his unique defensive artistry. Martínez defies conventional centre-back stereotypes through elite positioning, aerial dominance, and 60-rated passing ability that transforms defensive actions into attacking transitions. His intended partnership with Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt—meant to anchor United's backline—remains tantalizingly incomplete. The 28-year-old carries the championship mentality forged in Qatar 2022, and his return could prove transformative for a United side craving defensive stability. When fit, Martínez isn't merely a defender; he's a tactical conductor who builds attacks as naturally as he extinguishes them.