Lisandro Martínez has joined Manchester United’s preseason training camp in the Republic of Ireland, becoming the last player to return after receiving an extended break following the World Cup.
Martínez’s arrival, after participating in Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the World Cup final on July 19 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, means that Michael Carrick now has nearly all his squad available ahead of the friendly against Leeds, scheduled for Wednesday at Dublin’s Croke Park.
On Sunday, England internationals Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo were among nine players who reported back to training amidst ongoing speculation about Rashford’s future.
After the match on Wednesday, the team will travel to Wroclaw, Poland for their final preseason fixture against AC Milan and their former manager, Ruben Amorim.
This follows a series of matches played in Finland, Norway, and Sweden over the last month. Unlike several clubs on preseason tours, United returned to their training base in Carrington after each match to continue their preparations for the upcoming season.
This week, the squad has been training at Carton House in Maynooth, the same facility where they held a mid-season camp back in April.
Assistant coach Steve Holland noted that returning to Carrington for training has provided United with an edge amid the disrupted schedules caused by the World Cup, where players have returned at different times.
“We’ve had full control over our training facilities, the pitch, and recovery routines,” Holland stated on the club’s website.
“The ability to travel for high-level games while returning to Carrington each week has given us the best chance possible to be ready for the season, especially in a tournament year.
“I’m genuinely pleased with our program so far and how it’s developed to this point.”
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Manchester United’s Premier League campaign kicks off at Hull on August 22. Carrick, who stepped into the managerial role in January after Amorim’s departure, aims to build on the momentum gained last season when he led the team to a third-place finish and a return to Champions League football.
Initially designated to lead through the end of the previous season, Carrick extended his contract until 2028 in May, with the club backing him through the acquisitions of Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos.
“There’s always a sense of optimism at the start, but this year feels particularly promising given last season’s performance and the new additions,” Holland remarked.
“We’re aiming to be competitive in every tournament this year. It’s an exciting time for us all.
“Having Champions League football is essential for Manchester United—it’s where we belong. Yet, we also understand the challenges ahead in this highly competitive league.
“The excitement is palpable, and we can’t wait to get started.”