Lisandro Martinez's impassioned statement in the locker room contributed to Man United's winning run. - 2025

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Lisandro Martinez is on the brink of returning to full fitness, and his leadership in the Manchester United dressing room shouldn’t be understated.

Ruben Amorim has created a six-player leadership group at Manchester United, with Lisandro Martinez among those chosen to lead the squad.

United’s World Cup-winning centre-back boasts experience on the biggest stage and a warrior spirit that helps to drive standards behind the scenes.Martinez is training in Argentina to build up sharpness during the international break, with an eye on potentially making his return for United’s Premier League clash against Everton.

Lisandro Martinez once rallied a three-match winning streak

Martinez is nicknamed ‘the butcher’ for his aggressive defending on the pitch, but it seems he is also a leading off-pitch figure.

According to The Athletic, Martinez led a dressing room debrief after a 2-0 loss to Newcastle United in April 2023.

United were suffering a drop in form after winning the Carabao Cup, but Martinez was “vocal” and rallied his teammates to go on a three-match winning streak in the Premier League.

The Red Devils beat Brentford, Everton, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa in the remaining April fixtures and ended up finishing third and qualifying for the Champions League.

Lisandro Martinez will push ‘world-class’ Man United star

Martinez will have his sights set on earning a starting spot under Amorim, and he appears to be a perfect fit on the left side of the back three.

However, Luke Shaw has been impressive in a centre-back role this season, so Amorim will have a tough selection headache.

Amorim called Shaw ‘world-class’ over the summer and is clearly a big fan of the English defender, but now there is a World Cup winner competing for his starting spot.

READ MORE: Five-player showdown is brewing at Man United and it is great news for Ruben Amorim

Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt have been competing for the central role in defence this season, and now there is even more fierce competition at the back for Amorim.

With only one game a week, the increase in competition should drive players to perform at their very best.