According to Metro, Michael Carrick described having Martinez back in training this week as beneficial for the squad. Martinez last featured in Manchester United's 1-1 draw away to West Ham in the Premier League on February 10, and he missed the team's last five matches due to the calf issue. There had initially been hopes he could make his comeback for the match with Aston Villa last month, but he suffered a frustrating setback in training, forcing him to sit out the 1-1 draw with Bournemouth before the international break.
Whether he will definitely play in the upcoming match against Leeds remains uncertain, as the exact nature and severity of his calf injury has not been disclosed. Defensive options are under scrutiny with Harry Maguire's sending off at the Vitality Stadium meaning he will be suspended for Manchester United's next Monday contest versus Leeds. During Martinez's absence, Leny Yoro continued his run in the Manchester United side alongside Maguire.
The break has actually worked in our favour in some ways in terms of getting players back.
According to Metro, Michael Carrick described the situation, noting that with Maguire missing the Leeds game, having Martinez back alongside Yoro and Ayden Heaven helps the group grow stronger. Martinez has been stepping up his rehabilitation in a race to be back fit and was included in Carrick's 25-man squad for Manchester United's intensive training camp in the Republic of Ireland this week. Fellow defender Patrick Dorgu also made the trip across the Irish Sea following a long injury layoff, the specific details of which have not been revealed.
There are hopes that Dorgu could be in contention to play a part at Old Trafford in five days' time, though the exact date and time of the Manchester United versus Leeds match has not been specified in recent reports. According to Metro, Michael Carrick described the international break as having worked in Manchester United's favour in some ways for getting players back. He noted that Mason Mount is back in and around the squad and has been training, having had that period to build up his fitness, though the full extent of Mount's recent training and fitness level is not detailed.
Mason [Mount] is back in and around it and has been training. He's had that period of time to build it up.
Carrick was relieved that all of his players returned unscathed from international duty, a sentiment he echoed in multiple comments about the squad's condition. The Manchester United camp is in good spirits in preparation for their all-important run-in in the Premier League. According to Metro, Michael Carrick described the break as fine, with him spending one or two days at home but the team having plenty of training with the available players.
He said it has been a good spell with players traveling globally, and it was nice to have them back together. Carrick emphasized that at the moment, everyone is in good shape, which is pleasing because outcomes vary when players go on international duty, with some playing two games and others limited minutes. He added that the goal is for everyone to return safe and sound, and thankfully, that has been achieved.
To have Licha [Martinez] back in and around us this week is good.
According to Metro, Michael Carrick described the importance of coming to the Republic of Ireland to refocus and regroup, noting the boys are in really good spirits. He highlighted a big run-in for Manchester United with important games coming up, and said the players are now really focused on that challenge.
Obviously Harry [Maguire] is going to miss the [Leeds] game so to have Licha [Martinez] back in and around it, with Leny [Yoro] and Ayden [Heaven], we just want to keep getting stronger as a group really.
That's part of what we're trying to do this week.
The break was fine. I spent one or two days at home but we've had plenty of training as well with the boys that were with us.
It's been a good spell really for that really, players going all over the world, and it was nice to have them back.
The boys are in good spirits so it's good to have them back together again.
At the moment, everyone is in good shape which is pleasing because you never really know with them going away, some playing two games and some might not play an awful lot of minutes.
You want everyone to come back safe and sound, thankfully, at the moment, everyone's in good shape.
It's important we come here [Republic of Ireland] and refocus, regroup. We've come away and the boys are in really good spirits so it's good.
Big run-in for us, important games coming up. The boys are really focused on that now.