Manchester United -defender Lisandro Martinez wants to return as early as possible next season, because he is making good progress in his restoration of a cross damage that has kept him outside since the beginning of February.
United and Martinez are supposed to be satisfied with his rehabilitation since they undergone an operation four months ago and the last tests performed last week have confirmed that the 27-year-old has no tear in his meniscus.
Neither Martinez nor United will take unnecessary risks to integrate him back into the group and the player will not return until he is completely happy with his recovery and in peak physical condition.
The Argentina International is in an individual program during the summer holidays and will work individually on the grass when the rest of the group is back for the preseason.
Ruben Amorim, the united head coach, was very impressed by Martinez before the injury, suffered in a 2-0 defeat against Crystal Palace in Old Trafford in the Premier League, and regards the World Cup winner as an important pillar of his defense.
Martinez is considered internal as one of the leaders of the Carrington group and in a summer when the club quickly moves to strengthen a team that ended 15th in the Premier League, will follow him next season as a big boost.
The defender is dedicated to United in the midst of interests of clubs that play in the Champions League of next season that keep a close eye on his recovery.
United strives for a deal for Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, who has already secured the £ 62.5 transfer of Matheus Cunha from Wolves and Martinez, could feel like a new signing for Amorim when he is suitable.
Analysis: Why Martinez is so important for Amorim
Martinez quickly settled in the system of Amorim as the left -sided middle back and enjoyed a good form before his injury, scored crucial goals in Liverpool and Fulham in a series of six games when the team was undefeated with him as a starter.
The former Ajax defender is one of the most progressive passers -by from Diep and found more room to step forward and influence the match on the ball when the team shifted to a back three under the Portuguese.
Amorim's approach plays to Martinez's strengths, because the responsibility for the defenders is to build the game, while the two no. 8s are expected to continue playing the field in a more box-to-box role instead of falling deep to collect the ball from the back three.
In the 20 Premier League matches, Martinez played last season, he was hard on possession, with the defender trying a higher volume of passes and completed than one of his teammates per 90 at some distance.
Because Amorim's system puts more emphasis on ball retention, there is an expectation that he will lean on Martinez in that left-wing center-back position. His teammates are already doing it, with Captain Bruno Fernandes the only other player who takes more touches per 90.
Martinez is not the fastest defender, but reads the game well and that is useful in the arrangement of Amorim with his defenders needed to step up and intercepted Ballen-With Harry Maguire's only teammate who completes more per 90 in the competition.