Lisandro MartÃnez made his long-awaited return for Manchester United in the team’s 2–1 away victory against Crystal Palace, ending a recovery period of almost 10 months. The Argentina international entered the match in the 82nd minute, replacing Luke Shaw, and received a strong ovation from the United supporters at Selhurst Park.
The defender had suffered a torn left ACL back in February, coincidentally against the same opponent, exiting that match around the 75th minute before United went on to lose 2–0. He later underwent successful surgery and spent the following months in rehabilitation.
MartÃnez had already taken part in training sessions with Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina squad earlier in November, joining the group in Albacete before the friendly against Angola.
If we get lucky with injuries then this will be our most balanced squad. Midfield duo of MacAllister & Enzo infront of 3 men defense. All there forwards Mastantuono, Paz and Alvarez will have to press like mad man to give Messi full freedom to unleash himself! However Alavrez’s mad pressing is one of the reason he isn’t able to score regularly recently. He needs more freedom in Atletico but not in the national team.
Martinez
Foyth Romero Licha
Enzo Palacios MacAllister
Mastantuono Messi Paz
Alvarez
Absurd lineup, no full backs, no wingers, 3 players with the same charatheristic like to attack the same zones (Messi, Paz, Mastantuono). Paz on the left? What is this? In 3-5-2 (3-4-3) either it will be wing backs or wingers on the flanks who can give width like against Netherlands (Acuna, Molina) now Barco (hopefully) Nico Gonzalez, Molina, Simeone. Btw Scaloni wont use 3 CBs regularly just against special opponents. More likely 1 defensive 1 offensive full back pairs Tagliafico/Valentin Gomez/Medina with Molina or Barco (hopefully) with Foyth or Kevin Macallister (same defensive type) so formation is switchable between 3 and 4 defenders at the back (attacking fullback stepping up).
This defensive/offensive full back pair will be common for Scaloni otherwise too imo. But the standard formation will be 4-4-2 with Messi, Julian duo upfront+4 midfielders (as vs Croatia or Brazil 4:1) or 3 midfielders+1 winger (Almada, Nico or Simeone).
So i dont think Paz or Masta will start with Messi at the same time against strong opponents, all 3 zero chance. Vs weak teams 2 of them maybe, like vs Venezuela.
+Injury prone Palacios is not reliable as starting midfielder just like Lo Celso (these two are clear subs).
No way this will be our line-up, most likely: Dibu; Molina, Cuti, Licha, Tagliafico; Enzo, Mac Allister, De Paul; Messi, Alvarez, Almada. Either 4-4-2 or 4-3-3
Yes or Paredes instead of De Paul with Enzo Macca duo in more attacking roles, Scaloni loves his regular players but is never hesitant to drop them. So Tagliafico, Licha, Molina, Paredes/De Paul Almada position is not fixed at all without performing good. Emi, Romero, Enzo, Macca, Messi and Julian positions are rock solid in starting 11 imo. The question the other 5 what is healthy, you cant change the whole team to be succesful neither.
Scaloni changed in 4-5 positions under Copa 19, same in Copa 21 with newcomers as Emi and Cuti+ under WC22 too, in Copa24 only Licha was a new starter but that was a WC winner team wo real problems or ageing players.