Manchester United host rivals Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday, with both sides on course to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
United currently sit third in the top flight table, while the reigning champions occupy fourth spot, with the top five in the Premier League set to qualify for Europe’s premier club competition.
Michael Carrick has overseen a steady improvement in his side’s fortunes since being appointed as the club’s caretaker head coach back in January, following the sacking of Ruben Amorim.
It remains to be seen whether or not the Englishman will remain in charge beyond the end of the current campaign, but in the meantime it has emerged that the Manchester club are desperate to keep hold of one of their key players as he nears the end of his current contract.
As reported by Football Insider, Man United are keen to ensure that central defender Lisandro Martinez stays put at Old Trafford beyond this summer, despite the player having just over a year remaining on his contract.
Martinez has just over a year remaining on his current contract (Photo: Associated Press/Alamy)
It is claimed that United hold the option to extend Martinez’s contract by a further 12 months, with the Argentina international set to enter into the final year of his current deal this summer.
The defender has been linked with Spanish champions Barcelona in recent months, but the report claims that United remain adamant that Martinez is not for sale and will therefore reject any interest in the player this summer.
Having joined the Red Devils from Dutch side Ajax in 2022, Martinez has now made more than 100 appearances for the club across all competitions.
So far this season he has featured just 16 times, though, having returned from a lengthy cruciate ligament injury before suffering a calf problem and, more recently, suspension after being sent off against Leeds United earlier this month.