Lisandro Martinez out for the season with fractured metatarsal
Manchester United will be without one of their star performers under Erik ten Hag after he picked up an injury in the draw with Sevilla.
Manchester United will be without central defender Lisandro Martinez after he fractured a metatarsal bone in Thursday’s 2-2 draw with Sevilla.
The Argentine was substituted late on in the Europa League fixture and appeared devastated on the touchline. He was initially helped off the pitch by Argentina teammates Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel, before being taken down the tunnel on a stretcher.
A fractured metatarsal is a very common footballing injury because there is almost no protection on the top of the foot. Former Manchester United player David Beckham famously fractured his metatarsal shortly before the 2002 World Cup and faced a race against time to be fit for the tournament.
Typically, the best case scenario would see a player out for around three months after fracturing a metatarsal. However it can easily be at least six months for a full recovery if surgery is required.
After being one of United’s best performers during their good run this season, the Old Trafford faithful will hope to see Martinez back for the start of pre-season.
Ten Hag insists that United have the quality
Thursday’s fixture was a tale of two halves for the Red Devils, who appeared to have built a commanding lead by half time. But the injuries to Martinez and defensive partner Raphael Varane, as well as a suspension for Bruno Fernandes, will be of major concern going into next week’s second leg.
Erik ten Hag’s side went down to ten men after Martinez’s injury having already used all five substitutions. In the final moments they conceded a crucial late equaliser to highlight the importance of Martinez to the team.
However the United coach insisted that his side have the quality to replace their growing list of absentees and that they can continue to compete on three fronts.
“We have depth in the squad. We have to use the squad,” Ten Hag said on Friday.
“In the meantime, you have to win games so also you have to have a tactical approach to win games, but I think we have good players and when we have problems – injuries and suspensions – we have depth in the squad.”