Manchester United’s season has been a stop-start affair so far under Rúben Amorim. Promising performances have been undermined by costly lapses, defensive frailties, and a lack of consistency in attack. But as the international break comes to an end, United are set to receive the kind of boost that could reshape their campaign.
Both Lisandro Martínez and Matheus Cunha are on course to return immediately after the break — and the timing could not be better. The Argentine’s leadership and toughness at the back, combined with Cunha’s energy and dribbling power in attack, promise to give United the balance they have been sorely missing.
Lisandro Martínez: The Warrior Returns
When Martínez went down with an ACL injury in February, United lost more than just a centre-back. They lost their defensive leader, their organiser, and their heartbeat. The Argentine’s absence has been painfully obvious across 2024: without him, United’s defence has looked shaky, short of authority, and unable to play out with confidence.
Martínez’s recovery has been nothing short of remarkable. Already back in full training, he is expected to slot straight back into the starting XI once domestic football resumes. For Amorim, his return could be transformative.
- Leadership and Communication: Martínez is vocal, constantly organising those around him. United’s back line has often looked disjointed in his absence; his voice will knit it back together.
- Aggression and Bite: Nicknamed “The Butcher,” Martínez thrives on physical battles. United have at times looked too passive at the back — he changes that with intensity and fearless defending.
- Ball Progression: As a left-footed centre-back, he brings balance and comfort in possession. He can step out of defence and initiate attacks, a quality Amorim values highly.
For supporters, seeing Martínez back is more than just a tactical improvement. It is a psychological lift. His presence sets a tone: uncompromising, committed, and unafraid. That spirit has often been lacking without him.
Matheus Cunha: The Drive United’s Attack Desperately Needs
If Martínez represents solidity, Cunha brings spark. The Brazilian forward arrived at Old Trafford with a reputation for ball-carrying, pressing, and unselfish work — qualities United’s attack has badly needed.
His injury scare against Burnley, where he limped off in visible discomfort, had fans fearing the worst. But scans confirmed no serious damage, and he will be fit to return after the break.
Cunha’s importance is clear in the numbers: he has completed more dribbles this season than Amad, Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes, Joshua Zirkzee, and even Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo. That statistic underlines how central he has become to United’s ability to progress the ball and unsettle opposition defences.
- Ball-Carrying Threat: Few players in the squad can carry the ball through the lines as effectively as Cunha. His directness forces opponents onto the back foot.
- Work Rate: Cunha is relentless in pressing defenders, a key aspect of Amorim’s philosophy. His intensity sets the tone for United’s attack.
- Link-Up Play: He combines well with Bruno Fernandes and Zirkzee, offering options between the lines and helping knit attacks together.
For United, getting Cunha back is about more than dribbles or pressing. It is about restoring variety in attack. Too often, the side has looked predictable. Cunha’s drive and willingness to take risks on the ball inject a dose of unpredictability.
Why This Double Boost Matters
One of United’s biggest problems this season has been imbalance. At the back, they have lacked leadership and structure. Up front, they have often been short of incision and variety. Martínez and Cunha offer solutions to both problems simultaneously.
- Defence: With Martínez returning, United can field a stable back line built around his left-footed balance and organisation. That could free Luke Shaw to return to left-back, ending the makeshift solutions that have weakened United in recent weeks.
- Attack: Cunha’s return allows Amorim to build a more fluid forward line. His ball-carrying opens space for Fernandes, Zirkzee, and Rashford, making United less predictable.
- Psychological Impact: Both players are fighters. Their return sends a message — United are regaining their edge at both ends of the pitch.
The Fixtures Ahead
Timing matters, and this particular double comeback arrives just as United face crucial tests. With matches against Manchester City and Chelsea looming, Amorim could not have asked for better reinforcements.
Against City, Martínez’s ability to disrupt Erling Haaland will be invaluable, while Cunha’s pressing could unsettle Pep Guardiola’s back line. Against Chelsea, both players offer the kind of grit and creativity needed to break down a side that thrives in transitions.
Risks and Expectations
As positive as the news is, caution is necessary. Returning from a long-term injury, Martínez will need careful management. Throwing him straight into a run of high-intensity fixtures carries risks. Similarly, while Cunha has avoided serious damage, rushing him back too quickly could lead to setbacks.
Amorim will need to balance urgency with patience. The temptation to use both players immediately is strong, but their long-term availability matters more than short-term gains.
What It Means for Amorim’s Project
For Amorim, these returns are about more than just individuals. They represent the kind of depth and quality his system requires to succeed. Martínez allows him to play out confidently from the back and press higher up the pitch, while Cunha brings the vertical threat to turn defence into attack quickly.
Together, they give United a foundation. With a solid base in defence and an unpredictable spark in attack, the pieces finally start to fit together. Amorim’s philosophy, which relies on balance between aggression and control, may now be achievable.
Final Thoughts
Manchester United’s season has been crying out for stability and inspiration. In Lisandro Martínez and Matheus Cunha, they are about to get both. The Argentine brings leadership, bite, and composure at the back; the Brazilian adds drive, pressing, and unpredictability up front.
Their returns will not solve every problem overnight. But they give United something priceless: balance. With Martínez anchoring the defence and Cunha igniting the attack, Rúben Amorim finally has the tools to push his side back into serious contention.
