Lisandro Martinez played his first game since September (Photo: Getty)
Lisandro Martinez has thanked Manchester United fans for their support after he returned to action from a lengthy injury on Sunday.
United drew 2-2 with Tottenham at Old Trafford, having lead twice through Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford.
Notably, Erik ten Hag had both Martinez and Casemiro back in the matchday squad for the first time in many months with the former having not played since September because of a foot injury.
The World Cup winning centre-back came off the bench in the 63rd minute, replacing Jonny Evans, and performed well, ensuring that Spurs didn’t score a winner.
The absence of the 25-year-old has had a very negative effect on Ten Hag’s side, but his return was certainly a delightful sight for fans in the stadium.
Martinez was clearly touched by the supporters, posting this message to them on Twitter on Sunday night: ‘Proud of the reception I got from the fans, I really love you.
‘Not the result we wanted, but we battled hard until the end. We’ll work together for more!’
It is hoped that the return of Martinez, as well as the likes of Casemiro, Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Mason Mount, can revive United’s fortunes, with the club now seventh in the table and eight points off the top four.
United legend Gary Neville is hopeful they can, and they may well play a role in deciding their manager’s fate as he predicts Ten Hag is now auditioning to save his job in front of new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffre.
He told Sky Sports: ‘I think it has to be a positive end for the season with those players coming back. Erik ten Hag will be judged in these last three months of the season and there’s no doubt that he lost quite a lot of experience and his leaders in the team.
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‘They’ve got a break now, those players should be back and then between now and May it is an audition for everyone at the club in that Ratcliffe and Brailsford will be taking over imminently and will make some big decisions on and off the pitch.’
United will next be in action on 28th January when they travel to either Newport County or Eastleigh for the FA Cup fourth-round.
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