Manchester United have lost Lisandro Martinez to a knee injury, less than a month after he returned from a four-month foot injury layoff.
The Argentina international, who triumphantly returned from the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar as a champion, has been one of the best parts of Erik ten Hag’s tenure as Manchester United coach. Since signing for the Red Devils in the 2022/23 season, he has taken over the center back position and the Dutch manager has constantly rotated his partner.
His presence has helped the club find stability at the back with less than 10 percent of the games he has played ending in losses. He is also one of the club’s most passionate players who the fans constantly brag about.
His absence in the past four months coincided with United’s poor run and his return in early January coincided with their rise back to prominence this season. Now, they are set to navigate a tricky period without him for the next eight weeks.
He picked up a knee injury in United’s 3 – 0 win over West Ham United over the weekend. He played a key role in that game up until the 71st minute when he was forced to come off. United were 2 – 0 up at the time.
The player has taken to social media to announce his absence to his fans and the fans of the club. His post on X (formerly Twitter) reads: “I want to give a heartfelt thanks for the great support I’ve received and to reassure you that I’ll soon be back out there, and we’ll fight together. Always united!”
It came after Manchester United announced the player’s injury and its extent via their official channels. The club’s statement reads: “Lisandro Martinez has sustained an injury to the medial collateral ligament in his knee and is expected to be out of action for at least eight weeks. The Argentine defender left the field in the 71st minute of our 3-0 win over West Ham United at Old Trafford on Sunday.”
“We all wish Licha a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back on the pitch later in the season.”
Martinez will miss crucial games against Liverpool and Manchester City, as well as an FA Cup fifth-round tie against Bristol City or Nottingham Forest and a potential quarter final tie if they get past either opponent in the fourth round.
Erik ten Hag has given an insight into the player’s mindset as he begins his spell on the sidelines. “He is very sad, very disappointed”, ten Hag said. “We all feel really with him. First of all, it’s a personal disaster when it’s really bad. But let’s wait for what it is. But for the team, also it is really bad because he definitely brings us a lot.”
