Both Martinez and Raphael Varane picked up injuries during Thursday's 2-2 draw against Sevilla in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals. The club have not provided any details on Varane's injury.
Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez looked dejected as she climbed onto a stretcher during the match against Sevilla. | Credit photo:
Both Martinez and Raphael Varane picked up injuries during Thursday's 2-2 draw against Sevilla in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals. The club have not provided any details on Varane's injury. Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez is out for the rest of the season after suffering a broken foot, the Premier League club announced on Friday.
Team-mate Raphael Varane is also expected to be sidelined for "several weeks", United added, leaving the team without two of their best defenders during a crucial period of the campaign.
Both Martinez and Varane picked up injuries in Thursday's 2-2 draw against Sevilla in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final.
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Varane was substituted at half-time and Martinez looked distressed as he was carried off the field by Sevilla players Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel, his Argentina team-mates.
Martinez has played a key role in improving United's defense this season after signing from Ajax to join coach Erik ten Hag, while also helping Argentina win the World Cup in Qatar. United say the defender will be fit to start next season.
The club have not provided any details on Varane's injury.
United have been without top scorer Marcus Rashford, who has been ruled out for 'a couple of games' because of a muscle injury. His readiness for next week's Europa League second leg and FA Cup semi-final against Brighton is unclear.
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Erik ten Hag reflects on Man Utd's draw against Sevilla
Lisandro Martinez's first season at Manchester United could end sooner than expected. Argentina international suffered a muscle strain during the final stages of the 2-2 Europa League draw with Sevilla. And Erik ten Hag has now opened up three potential alternatives for the 25-year-old.
Martinez was unsuccessful at the end of regulation time, when United then fell behind as they lost 2-0.
And he was emotional as he was taken off the pitch, with the deliberately Argentinian player appearing to be fearing the worst. After the game, Ten Hag admitted the 25-year-old's condition "didn't look good", but insisted his star performer was not injured in his Achilles tendon.
"We saw Licha Martinez give up after a while," said the Dutchman.
"There were no opponents involved so the match didn't look very good so we had to wait.
"I can't say right now [what it is], like Rapha [Varane]. I think after the game, but this injury, he [has] been complaining about it for the last two weeks and we have to see how it is now.
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And Ten Hag thinks Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw could all join the team if Martinez faces a period of unnoticed. "We have very good substitutes," he added.
“Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw. We have players who can replace them. But of course it failed.
"We're in three leagues and then you need the team. “And if Licha Martinez and Rapha Varane are not available on Sunday, the others must be.
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“And we saw on Saturday, Harry Maguire had a good game. And he came in tonight and I think he played a very good game too.
Ten Hag also revealed that he spoke to Martinez, insisting the defender was 'calm' rather than upset in the dressing room after the game.
"I talked to him and he was fine and calm," he said.
“I think [it's] an injury [meaning] he won't be playing on Sunday. I can't say the diagnosis [is]. I like to wait and find out what it is.
Maguire appears to be the favorite to enter the team, with the United star receiving praise from his manager for his recent performances.
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Lindelof is also a useful option as the experienced Sweden international has been at the club since 2017.
And Shaw has performed very well at center back this season, despite switching to left-back. When United were disappointed with the draw, Sevilla manager Jose Luis Mendilibar praised the team's fighting spirit.
"The first half hour was a tough time, but then we got back together," he said.
“We don't ruin the game and we never give up. Everyone respects Sevilla in this tournament.
United will have their next game against Nottingham Forest on Sunday (4:30pm).
And they are hoping for their fourth win of the season against Steve Cooper's side at the City Ground. United won 3-0 in the Premier League in December before beating Forest by a similar margin in the Carabao Cup.
And they also battled for a 2-0 win in the second leg of that trophy in February.
On the side of Sevilla, they have to face Valencia on Sunday (20h).
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