Martinez returns to grass as United face mounting pressure on Amorim amid rocky start

Lisandro Martinez has resumed activity for Manchester United, taking the first steps back onto the grass more than seven months after rupturing his ACL at Old Trafford against Crystal Palace in February. The Argentina international posted a photo on Instagram this week showing him in his boots, a sign that his rehabilitation is progressing ahead of a potential return to action later this season.

Despite the milestone, Martinez has not yet returned to first-team training, and Saturday's showdown with Chelsea may come too soon for him. A return after the upcoming international break is considered a realistic target if progress continues as hoped. The development comes as pressure mounts on Ruben Amorim, whose second season in charge has featured inconsistent results and a defense that has struggled to keep clean sheets.

Manchester United opened the season with a promising performance against Arsenal, then drew with Fulham, and were stunned by a loss to League Two Grimsby Town. They later won at Burnley in stoppage time before suffering a 3-0 defeat at Manchester City. The club sits 14th in the Premier League and has yet to register a league clean sheet, while goals from open play have been scarce this term. The return of Martinez would bolster a defense that has leaked goals and a midfield that has struggled to impose its identity under Amorim’s 3-4-3 system.

Amorim has defended his 3-4-3 setup, insisting he will not abandon his philosophy. "I am not going to change. When I want to change my philosophy, I will change. If not, you have to change the man. Losing faith in your ability to turn the situation around? No, that is not the way. I believe in my way and I am going to play my way until I want to change. My message to the fans is that I am going to give everything, always thinking about what is best for the club. The rest is not my decision," he said after the City defeat. The remarks underscored the delicate balance between conviction and progress that United are trying to navigate.

Despite Amorim’s firmness, several players are believed to be uneasy with the system. Bruno Fernandes is reportedly unhappy operating in a deeper midfield role, though club officials caution against drawing sweeping conclusions about the dressing room’s unity. The dynamic inside the squad has come under closer scrutiny as United weighs its options for the remainder of the season.

Former United forward Wayne Rooney weighed in on the team’s struggles, suggesting that players, fans, and observers deserve clarity about the team’s patterns and direction. "What are the patterns? What are we seeing what might improve the team moving forward? We have all played the game at the highest level and it is very difficult to see that," Rooney said during remarks in South Korea ahead of a legends match. "We are all watching it, and we all struggle to give what we see how Man United play. Frankly, it is not good enough."