Manchester United center-back Lisandro Martinez has refused to rule out playing in midfield in the absence of Casemiro..
The latter was sent off during the first half of Sunday’s goalless draw with Southampton at Old Trafford, and manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed that he will play in Thursday night’s Europa League last-16 second-leg clash with Real Betis despite facing another suspension.
It was his second red card of the season, and he now faces a four-game domestic suspension, beginning against Fulham in the FA Cup on Sunday.
Due to the long-term injuries to both Donny van de Beek and Christian Eriksen in midfield, there has been speculation that Ten Hag could convert Martinez into a makeshift defensive midfielder and fill in for Casemiro. During their time at Ajax, the Argentine previously held the position under Ten Hag.
Although United manager Jose Mourinho is unlikely to disrupt Martinez’s blossoming center-back partnership with Raphael Varane, the Argentina international has refused to rule out playing as a midfielder for the Reds.
“We have many good midfielders, and as I have always said in many interviews, I will play wherever the coach wants to use me,” Martinez said at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday evening..
“I will be available at all times.”
With a 4-1 lead going into Thursday night’s second leg, United are strong favorites to advance to the competition’s quarter-finals and keep their hopes of winning three cup competitions this season alive. They have already won the Carabao Cup and are still alive and well in the FA Cup.
Whatever happens in the Europa League and the FA Cup between now and the end of the season, United will have lofty goals of competing for the Premier League title next season, a challenge Martinez believes the squad is up to.
“For sure, we have really good players,” the Argentine continued..
We are Manchester United, and we expect to win every trophy, so we must work hard, as we are doing now.
“We must go game by game, we must believe, and we must fight for every title.
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