Erik ten Hag has explained why it’ll be ‘weeks’ before Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez return to the field.
Manchester United’s season so far can be described by injuries. Erik ten Hag has been dealing without major players for multiple months at a time, making the first half the campaign an incredibly difficult one for the Old Trafford club.
As time is going by, players are starting to return (thankfully!). The Red Devils welcomed both Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro back to training this week, after both players have spent multiple months out injured with pretty severe problems.
The pair were both among United’s best players last season. There’s no denying that. Obviously, it has been much tougher for the lads to get results without having these two guys available. Now, they’re both edging closer to making their all-important comeback.
During his pre-match press conference, Ten Hag has placed a tentative timeframe on when to expect these guys back out on the pitch, claiming that it’s going to be ‘weeks’ rather than ‘days’. This was to be expected given the nature of their injuries.
Check out what Ten Hag had to say when asked directly about the returns of Martinez & Casemiro:
‘They are a long time now back on the grass already, but now they have returned to team training. Not fully but partial and now they have to make the next steps that of course takes some days, I think even weeks.” Ten Hag told club media.
The last thing United want to do is rush these guys back before they’re 100% ready, particularly in Martinez’s case, who has already suffered a recurrence of his metatarsal problem.
It’s all about striking that balance and bringing both Licha and Case back at just the right time. You want them to be back in time to play some part in what could be a massive second half of the season as Ten Hag looks to save his job and push for a place in the top four, while also going on a deep FA Cup run.
Everyone is in agreement. When both are fully fit and firing. Casemiro and Martinez are among the first names on the team sheet. In about a month, I’d imagine we’ll be in that exact same situation again.
In terms of what I’m looking forward to, I cannot wait to see Casemiro play in a midfield alongside Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes. It has all the makings of a top-class trio and I am super excited to see how they get on.
Do you think the return of both Casemiro & Martinez will help out Man United? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.
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