commitment by turning down an opportunity to extend his stay with family in South America until next week.
There’s growing anticipation at Carrington, as Amorim and his team of five new coaches are expected to commence training sessions on Monday.
Bruno Fernandes has also returned early from international duty, having contributed to Portugal’s 5-1 win against Poland on Friday.
Reports suggest Martinez has made a similar decision to impress Amorim, who is already preparing for his first game in charge.
According to the Daily Mail, the 26-year-old had been granted permission to remain with his family for the rest of the international break, with the next one not due until March.
Martinez had been called up for Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Paraguay but was ruled out due to an injury sustained in United’s 3-0 victory over Leicester City last weekend.
Despite this, he prioritized meeting Erik ten Hag’s replacement over spending extra time at home, especially with a demanding four-month schedule ahead.
The Express adds that Martinez returned to Manchester on Saturday and is expected at United’s training base on Monday, coinciding with Amorim’s first day leading sessions.
His fitness remains uncertain for next weekend’s clash against Ipswich Town, which could leave United with just two fit center-backs for the match.
This situation poses a challenge for Amorim, who is reportedly planning to implement a 3-4-3 formation at United.
The availability of other defenders, including Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, and Victor Lindelof, also remains unclear. Lindelof, in particular, had to withdraw from Sweden’s match on Saturday due to an issue.
Martinez is set to undergo tests upon his return to Carrington to assess the extent of his lower-back injury. As a key figure in Amorim’s proposed three-at-the-back system, his recovery will be crucial.
However, the Portuguese manager may need to adjust his plans if Martinez is unavailable. Known for his resilience, the defender is unlikely to rule himself out easily, and many expect him to push for inclusion in the Ipswich game.
