Man Utd releases an official statement confirming Lisandro Martinez’s severe injury
Lisandro Martinez came off during Manchester United’s dismal 2-0 loss at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday, with the defender suffering what’s turned out to be a serious knee injury.
Manchester United have confirmed that defender Lisandro Martinez injured his cruciate ligament during Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace.
Martinez, 27, went down in agony after challenging Palace forward Ismalia Sarr, appearing to jar his left knee in the Old Trafford turf. The Argentine centre-back, who was in tears while being stretchered off, is now set for an extended spell in the sidelines and is likely to require surgery.
In a statement issued on Wednesday morning, United added: "Assessment of the injury is ongoing to determine the appropriate course of treatment and the timescale for his rehabilitation. Everyone at Manchester United wishes Lisandro Martinez strength for a successful recovery and we will be supporting him every step of the way."
The statement confirmed United manager Ruben Amorim’s worst fears, as he said after the Red Devils’ woeful loss on Sunday: "Licha is really important for us, not just as a football player but the character he has, especially in this hard moment. Now it’s time for us to help Licha. I think it’s a bad situation. Let’s wait to assess things with the doctor, but I think it’s a serious situation."
Martinez has had four separate injury problems since joining United for £57million from Ajax in 2022. The Argentina international missed the end of his debut season after fracturing his metatarsal.
In the 2023-24 campaign, a combination of foot, calf and knee issues stunted his progress. Martinez has largely been a mainstay under new boss Amorim, slotting in on the left-hand side of a back three.
The 27-year-old recently contributed in attack when he scored the only goal in United’s recent win at Fulham. Now Amorim will be faced with a dilemma at left centre-back.
A right-footed centre-back such as Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro, Jonny Evans or Victor Lindelof could be used. Left-back Luke Shaw has experience in the role, although he’s suffered a setback during his recovery from injury.
United bolstered their wide defensive options in January with the £25million signing of Lecce left-back Patrick Dorgu. The Denmark international, 20, could make his debut in Friday’s FA Cup fourth-round tie at home to Leicester.
The Red Devils also signed highly-rated teenage centre-back Ayden Heaven from Arsenal and have given him the No.26 shirt, suggesting that he’ll be in the first-team picture. United return to Premier League action next Sunday away to Tottenham.
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