Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez out for rest of season with foot injury
Manchester United have confirmed that Lisandro Martinez has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a foot injury.
After joining the Red Devils from Ajax last summer, Martinez has established a central defensive partnership with Raphael Varane.
However, Man United will now have to utilise other defensive options after suffering a double injury setback in Thursday’s Europa League clash with Sevilla when both Martinez and Varane were forced off in the second half.
Varane was replaced by Harry Maguire, while Erik ten Hag’s side were reduced to 10 men when Martinez left the pitch after using all of their substitutes.
Man United were leading 2-1 at the time of the Argentine’s departure, but Maguire’s 92nd-minute own goal ensured the first leg of the quarter-final tie ended all square.
The Red Devils have released an update on Martinez and Varane’s injuries, revealing that the Argentina international will miss the rest of the 2022-23 campaign.
A club statement read: “Lisandro Martínez has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after fracturing a metatarsal bone in his foot.
“However, the Argentinian defender is expected to make a full recovery in time to be ready for the start of next season.
“Lisandro’s defensive partner Raphael Varane was substituted with an injury at half time in the same game and is expected to be out for a few weeks.
“Everyone at Manchester United sends Lisandro and Rapha our best wishes for a speedy recovery.”
Ten Hag is expected to turn to Maguire and Victor Lindelof to fill the void left in the centre of defence, while Luke Shaw is also capable of playing at centre-back if required.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Nottingham Forest, Ten Hag backed his fringe players to step up to the task.
“We have a lot of decent centre-halves,” the Dutchman told reporters. “We have proved in the past and in this season that we have four or five very good centre-halves who can do the job.”
United are battling for Champions League qualification, with the fourth-placed side currently three points clear of Tottenham Hotspur, who have played a game more.
After facing Forest at the City Ground, United will prepare for Thursday’s Europa League second leg against Sevilla, before they travel to Wembley for next weekend’s FA Cup semi-final tie with Brighton & Hove Albion.
