Manchester United apparently intend to keep two of their injury-plagued defenders at the club for the 2024-25 campaign.
After failing to bring in a new centre-back in the most recent summer window, the Red Devils are likely to prioritise defensive reinforcements for the new season after Erik ten Hag was left with two fit players in that position against Liverpool.
Because of injuries to no fewer than four central defenders, Harry Maguire and 19-year-old Willy Kambwala joined forces in front of Andre Onana on Sunday, as the Red Devils earned a creditable 2-2 draw.
Two of Man United's infirm players over the weekend - Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans - are both out of contract in June, and the pair are seemingly destined to leave the club this summer.
The Red Devils have opted not to trigger a 12-month extension in Varane's deal, while Evans's situation is slightly more uncertain, but he is not a long-term either way at 36 years of age.
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Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof safe in Manchester
However, according to Football Insider, Man United are not planning to let either Lisandro Martinez or Victor Lindelof leave, even though both men have also been hit by the injury bug in recent times.
The former's strong debut campaign at Old Trafford last year was cut short by a foot problem, and he has played just 11 matches in all tournaments this season due to a variety of issues.
After suffering a recurrence of his foot concern, Martinez then spent several weeks out with a knee injury, and on his comeback appearance against Brentford on August 30, the Argentine picked up a calf strain.
Martinez will be sidelined for another few weeks with his latest issue, while Lindelof hurt his hamstring in the same game and is expected to spend an identical amount of time in the medical bay.
The Sweden international had already missed a large chunk of action with a groin injury this season, but his versatility has come in handy in 2024, as he has often been deployed as a left-back to cover for the stricken Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.
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With Martinez also proving to be a fundamental player for Ten Hag when fully fit, the report claims that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has personally approved both of their stays at the Theatre of Dreams for the new term.
Martinez's future at the club was never in any serious doubt anyway, as the 26-year-old's contract with Man United does not expire until the summer of 2027; the Red Devils can also increase his terms by a further 12 months.
Lindelof's career prospects at Old Trafford were a bit more uncertain, though, as the Sweden international now has fewer than 18 months left to run on his current terms, which were extended in January.
However, due to the expected exits of Varane and Evans, as well as the possibility of West Ham United reigniting their interest in Maguire, Man United are loath to lose Lindelof in the upcoming window too.
The Red Devils occupy sixth place in the Premier League rankings - 11 points behind Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa - and are back in action away to Bournemouth on Saturday evening.
Ben Knapton
