The worse news for Lisandro Martinez ahead of Cup semifinal

Midway into the season, there is now a general and clear idea of the immense quality Lisandro Martinez possesses and brings to the current Manchester United team. His signing has been fully accepted by the club fans and doubters have been shut up with his performances.

The Argentine center-back opted to sign for Manchester United in the summer despite interest from league toppers, Arsenal, in order to reunite with his trusted manager Erik Ten Hag. The pair had worked together at Ajax over the last three years and achieved huge success with the Eredivisie champions.

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When Lisandro first joined his physicality was questioned but it didn't take long for the famed "the butcher" to cut through opponent attackers in bullish manners. He was swift in adapting to the demand of the Premier League and had formed a reliable partnership with Raphael Varane.

His club form got him to the World Cup with Argentina and they achieved their fairytale success by winning the competition against France in the final. But his return to the club was shaky as he had lost his spot to club captain Harry Maguire until recently.

What happened to Martinez?

After getting his spot back, Martinez had hoped that Harry Maguire would leave the club in the winter transfer market with much interest in him but his hope was tarnished when Maguire opted to stay, at least till the end of the season. Maguire's decision to stay puts Martinez's position in the starting lineup under threat once again as the transfer window closed last night. The pair will be battling it out for the spot all season long. It is uncertain which of them will start tonight's cup game.