Blow for Manchester United as Lisandro Martinez is out for 8 weeks with knee injury

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has been ruled out of action for two months.

In a challenging setback for Manchester United, defender Lisandro Martinez will be sidelined for approximately eight weeks due to a right knee injury sustained during Sunday's match against West Ham United. 

The injury occurred when Martinez collided with West Ham's Vladimir Coufal in the 68th minute, leading to concerns about potential anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) damage. 

Fortunately, subsequent assessments have revealed a sprained medial collateral ligament, providing some relief in what could have been a more dire situation.

Ten Hag's Concern and Hope

United's manager, Erik ten Hag, expressed his concern regarding Martinez's injury after the 3-0 victory over West Ham, stating, "I can't say but it doesn't look good. There is a bad concern. We have to wait for a few days for the diagnosis. We do everything to get the right diagnosis and see what is the damage.”

“He is very sad, very disappointed. We all feel really with him. First of all, it is a personal disaster when it is really bad but also for the team it is really bad because he definitely brings us a lot."

This setback comes as a double blow for Martinez, who had recently returned after missing more than three months due to surgery on a broken metatarsal in his foot. 

He initially underwent surgery in April, which had prematurely concluded his debut season with United. The 26-year-old Argentinian joined United from Ajax for £47 million in the summer of 2022, reuniting with his former coach Erik ten Hag.

Impact of Martinez's Absence

Martinez's absence will undoubtedly be felt by Manchester United. He had been gradually regaining his form, offering a glimpse of the team's potential with him on the pitch. 

Ten Hag had been carefully managing his return, using him as a substitute against Tottenham Hotspur and taking precautions during matches against Newport and Wolverhampton Wanderers. 

In recent games, including the one against West Ham, Martinez showcased his ability on the ball, significantly improving United's build-up play.

Furthermore, Martinez's leadership qualities, his constant communication with teammates, and his organizational skills on the field will be missed. 

While United can be relieved that the injury isn't as severe as initially feared, they will exercise caution in his recovery process, prioritizing his long-term well-being over rushing his return to action.

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