Man Utd star reduced to tears as worst fears confirmed for 26-time international
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Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a serious injury that he sustained during Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace.
Martinez, who has scored twice in 20 Premier League appearances this season, appeared to jar his knee in the second half as he tried to turn and immediately hit the floor in agony. It soon became clear he would not be able to carry on as Ruben Amorim turned to his subs bench.
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Hide AdThe Argentinian international’s injury led to a lengthy stoppage in the game at Old Trafford with a visibly distraught Martinez being reduced to tears as he left the pitch on a stretcher. After the loss, Amorim called on everyone associated with the Red Devils to help Martinez and instantly warned fans that the injury was likely to be serious.
He told the club website: "I think it is a serious situation. A bad situation for us and especially for Licha. I think we are going to see in the next days but I think it is a serious situation. It's really hard on us, he's not just a great player but a strong character in the dressing room. Especially in this moment, it's hard for us. Now it is time for all of us to help Licha. He felt it and, when you are a player, you know when it is serious. Let's hope for better days for him. We are here, like I say, to help him in this difficult moment."
Lisandro Martinez injury latest
United defender Lisandro Martinez’s injury has been reported as a torn ACL. That is according to TyC journalist Gaston Edu, meaning the United defender is almost certain to miss the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign and quite possibly a large portion of next season.
Martinez has missed just two matches since Amorim’s appointment in December and was among the contenders for the team’s Player of the Month award after scoring against both Liverpool and Fulham in the league while also producing a commanding display in an FA Cup third round triumph over Arsenal. The setback for Martinez is the latest in a long line of injuries for the World Cup winner, who has had a tricky time with fitness in the last two seasons.
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Hide AdThe 27-year-old was absent for the final six weeks of the 2022-23 season after fracturing a metatarsal, before undergoing surgery in September 2023 that sidelined him for four months. He then missed eight weeks between February and March last year with a ligament injury, which preceded a six-and-a-half week layoff with a calf issue.
How costly will Lisandro Martinez’ injury be?
At this moment in time, Lisandro Martinez is United’s star performer at centre back and a crucial component in the team’s hopes of success.
When he is fit and available, United have an average points tally of 1.4 per game in comparison to the dismal 0.5 per game that they have without him since his arrival from Ajax under Erik ten Hag.
Martinez is also blessed with good ability to play the ball out from the back which is crucial in a Ruben Amorim system which functions with three ball-playing centre backs with the bravery to occasionally drive further up the pitch into midfield to start attacks.
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Hide AdNews of Martinez’ injury follows the arrival of £30m man Patrick Dorgu from Lecce, meanwhile Tyrell Malacia is thought to be edging closer to a transfer back to the Netherlands with PSV despite initial interest from Real Betis.
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