Erik ten Hag tells Lisandro Martinez he “needs to accept” Man Utd return after World Cup

Erik ten Hag has reminded Lisandro Martinez that his commitment to Manchester United resumes in just a matter of days.

Martinez has enjoyed a whirlwind few days back in Argentina after the South Americans lifted the World Cup last Sunday. He may have only played a bit-part in their run to the trophy, but has been front and centre of their wild celebrations.

Martinez is still in his homeland celebrating with his compatriots, with few signs of an imminent flight back to rainy Manchester. But Ten Hag, who brought the defender to Old Trafford in the summer, has warned him that he “has to accept” the hard work starts again after Christmas.

United will need to hit the ground running after the mid-season break, with their main ambition remaining a top-four finish. Their Premier League campaign resumes on December 27 when they face struggling Nottingham Forest, before a trip to fellow relegation candidates Wolves on New Year’s Eve.

It remains to be seen whether Martinez, or France’s Raphael Varane will be involved in the festive fixtures, although Ten Hag has made it clear he expects their return sooner, rather than later.

“(Martinez) has been celebrating in Buenos Aires and I can understand that. It’s the highest you can achieve,” Ten Hag said. “But also, Lisandro Martinez has to accept that on the 27th the Premier League will go on.

“Of course (Varane) is disappointed about losing but I think also he can be proud that he was again in that final and of all that he achieved already in his career.”

One player definitely not involved in the final pair of fixtures in 2022 is Jadon Sancho. The England international is currently undertaking an individual training programme with the United boss previously suggesting he was struggling mentally and physically.

Sancho’s tailored regime isn’t an exception however, with Ten Hag revealing every individual has a specialised programme to help them reacclimate to domestic football. “We had a plan how to do it and how to manage the load of the players,” he added. “It is all individual based and nobody is the same or has the same programme.

“No one has the same minutes as they play in different positions and are different ages. We tried to get for everyone an individual plan. But we all know the restart is five days after the World Cup final and we all know after a World Cup the Premier League continues quickly.

“Everyone has to be ready for that, so you have to accept that — and that is for the manager, the coaching staff and the players.”

United were back in action on Wednesday night, booking their place in the Carabao Cup quarter finals. And Scott McTominay has indicated Martinez’s mind is firmly on matters at his new club, targeting more trophies to add to international football’s biggest.

McTominay explained: “We’ve got a really good chance to implement ourselves and really start pushing. I feel like this is the year where we can go for it and that’s firmly reiterated by all the coaches in the squad. They firmly believe that.

“I messaged Lisandro the other day and said congratulations and he said: ‘We go for the next one’. He’s just won a World Cup, so that shows the mentality that is in the group.”