Erik ten Hag will be forced into at least one change for Sunday’s Premier League game against Aston Villa, from the previous Manchester United XI that started in the win over West Ham United last week.
Lisandro Martinez was replaced in the second half of the 3-0 victory and it has since been confirmed he will be out until around April with a knee injury.
“It is a setback of course. Licha was just returning,” Ten Hag said in Thursday’s pre-match press conference. “You see his contribution to the team when he is playing so he brings, apart from his technical skills, also a mentality in the team.
“It is a big setback for Licha. He is very disappointed, but he is a fighter and he will back stronger.”
Now the question for United is: Who replaces the tenacious Argentine on Sunday? “There are games to play so as a squad we have to replace him,” said Ten Hag. “We have very good players in that position who will play there and perform there and as a squad we have to deal with it.”
Part of the problem for Ten Hag is the Dutchman prefers a right-footed and left-footed centre-back partnership, but Martinez is the only natural left-foot option in the squad. Luke Shaw has played in that role in the past, while Ten Hag has previously expressed his concern about pairing Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane together.
“We have options, [for] how to deal with that position,” explained the United boss. “We have good centre-halves in our squad. The others are also available. Luke can play also there.
“So I am quite confident that we can keep this process going and that others can fulfil that position and contribute playing high levels. Those players are very experienced and are very good players, so it is up to them now to fulfil it."
The alteration at centre-back is expected to be the only change from the West Ham game, and United will likely name two of Maguire, Varane, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans in defence. Here’s how we think the team will line up…
1. GK: Andre Onana
Hasn't missed a league game this season and is expected to retain his place on Sunday.
2. RB: Diogo Dalot
With Aaron Wan-Bissaka a doubt, Dalot will almost certainly continue at right-back.
3. CB: Harry Maguire
Maguire could be the man to replace Martinez and Ten Hag's concerns about partnering him with Varane appear to have waned.
4. CB: Raphael Varane
Has played in all of the last seven and appears to be first choice once again.