Manchester United's performances at the start of the season have been far from good enough, as Michael Carrick's side sit joint 18th in the Premier League on seven points, having won just once, and 20th in the Champions League group phase, above the elimination zone on goal difference.

While the performances on the pitch have been terrible, there has also been plenty of drama off it, with Lisandro Martínez publicly criticising the club for a lack of summer investment after a 2-0 Champions League defeat to Atlético Madrid.

Despite the public outburst, the Argentinian centre-back was immediately back in the squad to face Leeds a few days later, perhaps suggesting it was the right message but the wrong messenger, given that the 28-year-old was sent off against Chelsea, which condemned them to a 2-0 loss.

The club's captain, Bruno Fernandes, also criticised Michael Carrick's tactics following the side's 4-1 loss away to Como, and was duly benched for the game against Bournemouth, and was an unused substitute despite the side needing more attacking thrust.

Manchester United are short on centre-back options this season, with Leny Yoro having to play at right-back as Diogo Dalot deputises at left-back, Matthijs De Ligt just returning from a long-term injury, and Ayden Heaven, while promising, may be too young to regularly be starting games despite impressing under Ruben Amorim towards the end of his tenure.

Perhaps that is why Martínez was immediately back in the squad after his outburst, but his red card against Chelsea may suggest he has downed tools at the club, with the Argentinian centre-back able to negotiate with other clubs in January as the 28-year-old enters the final year of his deal.

As a result, several clubs have been linked with a move for the World Cup winner, with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid seemingly showing the most interest in the Argentinian's signature.

Now, SPORT has reported that any attempt to sign the defender in January would depend on securing a financially affordable deal, as the Spanish giants consider strengthening their defence, with the club finding themselves short on defensive options.

Defenders like Eric Garcia, Andreas Christensen, Jules Kounde, and Xavi Espart are all sidelined with injuries, leaving Hansi Flick short on defensive options, particularly central defenders, with the club seeing his experience with both Manchester United and Argentina making him an option.

Lisandro Martínez has a clause in his contract to extend his deal by a year, but all reports indicate that neither the club nor the player are wanting to activate such a clause, meaning United will have to let the 28-year-old leave should they want to recoup some of the fee they paid to Ajax in 2022 to secure his signing.

Barcelona's limited financial flexibility means that they aren't willing to make a significant investment in the squad in January, despite the defensive issues Hansi Flick currently has in his side.

The situation depends entirely on United's willingness to negotiate with Barcelona, but the Catalan club would need United to accept terms within their financial limits rather than pay a high fee for a player who will most likely be a free agent in the summer.

After missing out on him in the summer and falling further down Barcelona's pecking order, an Alejandro Balde loan deal could be negotiated to sweeten a potential deal for the Argentinian centre-back, as United are in dire need of defensive reinforcements in the winter window after Luke Shaw's injury.