Manchester United have made a choice on Lisandro Martinez as the Argentina national team prepares to call up the injured defender.

Manchester United have granted permission for Lisandro Martinez to join the Argentina squad next week, despite the fact that the defender is currently injured.

Martinez, aged 26, saw a temporary return to the field following a foot surgery earlier this year. However, he quickly returned to the sidelines due to knee ligament damage sustained during a match against West Ham on February 4th. The £57 million centre-back was anticipated to make his comeback for United against Brentford on March 30. However, Argentina is now planning to summon him for a couple of friendly matches scheduled to take place in the USA during the next two weeks.

The announcement left Red Devils supporters perplexed, as Martinez would not be able to participate in this Sunday’s highly anticipated FA Cup quarter-final match against Liverpool. According to a report from the Mail, the former Ajax star will complete his recovery alongside his Argentine teammates and may play against El Salvador in Philadelphia next Friday.

Argentina will thereafter face Costa Rica in another exhibition match on Tuesday, March 26th, this time in Los Angeles. The matches’ location is crucial in explaining why Lionel Scaloni, the World Cup-winning manager, is eager to include Martinez in the team, even if he doesn’t get much playing time.