Martinez has not featured since early February (Picture: Getty)
Injured Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has been handed a shock call-up to the Argentina squad ahead of March’s international friendlies.
The centre-half has endured an injury-hit second season in Manchester, undergoing surgery for a second time in a year in late September after aggravating a metatarsal injury.
He returned to the side in January but lasted just four games before suffering a knee problem in the 3-0 win over West Ham United in early February.
While the injury was not as bad as first feared and did not require another operation, Martinez was ruled out for six to eight weeks.
While there have been no further setbacks for the former Ajax star, he has still not returned to training and is not thought to be in contention for United’s FA Cup quarter-final clash against Liverpool on Sunday.
It will be United’s last game before March’s international break.
In a surprise development, Argentina have confirmed head coach Lionel Scaloni has called Martinez into his squad for friendlies against El Salvador and Costa Rica, taking place in the US on 23 March and 27 March respectively.
Martinez, one of United’s most important players lasts season following his arrival from Ajax, has been limited to just nine starting appearances in total this campaign.
The Argentine travelled with the United squad to the Etihad for the Manchester derby earlier this month, there to support his teammates alongside Rasmus Hojlund who also missed out through injury.
While United supporters will be wary of his involvement in international friendly games, it could be an indication one of the club’s most popular players is closing in on a return in time for the season run-in.
Ten Hag has been forced to deal with a number of defensive problems throughout the season with Luke Shaw another who has been sidelined for extended periods.
More Trending
The England international risks missing the rest of the season as a result of the latest muscle injury he suffered last month.
To compound ten Hag’s woes at left-back, Tyrell Malacia has not featured all season, leaving the manager with no recognised left-back with Victor Lindelof deployed in that role in recent weeks.
Harry Maguire is another who has been sidelined in recent weeks.
Manchester United news, exclusives and analysis
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.