Ruben Amorim issues Lisandro Martinez injury update as Manchester United star nears return

The Argentine defender has not played a competitive match since February

Manchester United’s meeting with Nottingham Forest on Saturday will come too soon for Lisandro Martinez, Ruben Amorim has confirmed.

Martinez has been out since tearing his ACL in February , but he has been progressing well in his recovery in recent months.

He returned to full team training this week, prompting hopes he could feature at the City Ground on Saturday , but Amorim said the centre-back needs more time.

"He (Martinez) wants to go to this one [Forest], he isn't going to this. one,” said the Portuguese.

“He's going to need time. He has started training with us. Slowly he is going to get better.”

Amorim continued, saying Martinez’s return to training had livened up United’s sessions.

"It's really good. He gives us that edge in every training session, that is also really good for us.”

On the comeback trail: Lisandro Martinez

Manchester United via Getty Imag

While Martinez’s return to fitness is a welcome boost for United, Harry Maguire’s injury situation remains ambiguous. The Briton missed last weekend’s win over Brighton with a knock, and Amorim said he was unsure whether the centre-back would be able to return.

“I don't know about Harry Maguire, the rest are fit.”

Looking ahead to facing Forest, who have one win in two matches under new manager Sean Dyche, Amorim said he was expecting a cagey affair.

"I watched (Forest’s match against Porto), I watched against Bournemouth, the style of play is similar, with different characteristics.

“He can change some characteristics of the players with the talent that they have, especially with Gibbs-White, Anderson, Hudson-Odoi, very good players.

"So we need to be prepared for a different game against Brighton. We had space to play. We are not going to have that space.

“You need to understand that we are not being the same team away and at home, so we need to improve the way we control the environment. Every tackle is a big moment for the opponent's fans, so we need to play better away.

"We are prepared for a very tough match."