Manchester United are considering parting company with Lisandro Martinez at the end of the season as part of plans to reshape their defence, according to the Daily Mail.

The Argentina defender’s contract is due to expire next summer. However, Manchester United could trigger a one-year extension, allowing the club to receive a transfer fee if Martinez leaves rather than losing him without compensation.

Martinez’s position at the club came under scrutiny after he criticised the Manchester United hierarchy, including football director Jason Wilcox, following the Champions League defeat by Atletico in early October.

The defender subsequently apologised and returned to the starting XI for the match against Leeds.

Should Manchester United decide to move Martinez on, Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite has been identified as a possible replacement. Everton recently rejected an approach for Branthwaite worth 57 million euros from another club.