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Lisandro Martinez is reportedly set to leave Manchester United at the end of the season as part of a defensive rebuild at Old Trafford. He sparked controversy earlier this month by calling out United's top brass, including director of football Jason Wilcox, following their Champions League defeat at the hands of Atletico Madrid. He later apologised and started Sunday's draw against Leeds United, but it appears his time at the club may be coming to an end.
According to the Daily Mail, the defender has been put up for sale by United, who are looking to revamp their back line ahead of next season.
While his contract is due to expire in the summer, it's deemed likely that a one-year extension will be triggered so the Red Devils can receive a fee in exchange for his signature.
The report adds that Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is likely to be targeted to replace Martinez at the heart of United's back four.
He has been admired by United chiefs for several years, with Everton turning down multiple bids worth up to £50million in the summer of 2024.
Martinez has been a regular for United this season, starting as the left-sided central defender alongside Harry Maguire.
He was replaced at half-time against Leeds after picking up a knock, making him a doubt for the midweek Champions League fixture against Como.
Speaking before the Leeds game, manager Michael Carrick insisted the fallout from Martinez's explosive interview had been dealt with behind the scenes.
He said: "He’s released his statement, he’s realised he’s made a mistake and that’s enough for all of us to move on with.
"From our point of view, the acknowledgment of what’s been done has certainly been enough. We’ve moved on and we’re definitely not looking back at it now.
"I understand emotion at times. We ask for passion, we ask for emotion, we ask for fire and we ask for players to care. There’s a way of doing that and that’s already been acknowledged.
"We need to carry that intensity and that willingness and that togetherness and that spirit. As a group, we need to use it, and we’ve got to use it in the right way."
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