Manchester United have been hit by a double defensive damage blow after Lisandro Martinez was dominated out for the remainder of the season and Raphael Varane sidelined for the following few weeks. Each gamers had been harm in Thursday’s 2-2 draw in opposition to Sevilla within the Europa League quarter-final first leg at Previous Trafford, wherein United conceded two late personal objectives. Martinez, who gained the World Cup with Argentina in December, pulled up in ache gripping his proper ankle late within the match and was taken away on a stretcher.
United had already misplaced fellow first-choice centre-back Varane to damage at half-time and his alternative Harry Maguire scored an personal aim in stoppage time.
Supervisor Erik ten Hag was unable to supply an replace when he confronted the media at lunchtime on Friday however the membership later confirmed the severity the accidents.
“Lisandro Martinez has been dominated out for the rest of the season after fracturing a metatarsal bone in his foot,” United stated in a press release.
“Nonetheless, the Argentinian defender is anticipated to make a full restoration in time to be prepared for the beginning of subsequent season.”
The assertion added: “Lisandro’s defensive accomplice Raphael Varane was additionally substituted with an damage at half-time in the identical sport and is anticipated to be out for a number of weeks.”
Martinez — in his first season at Previous Trafford — and Varane have established themselves as Ten Hag’s most popular centre-back pairing and their absence leaves a void as United look to finish the marketing campaign on a excessive.
Harm disaster
Ten Hag’s aspect, who gained the League Cup in February, wish to qualify for the Champions League and enter the weekend fourth within the Premier League standings.
Sunday’s journey to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest is adopted by the second leg of United’s Europa League quarter-final in opposition to Sevilla in Spain.
Bruno Fernandes misses that match by means of suspension and membership captain Harry Maguire is then banned for subsequent weekend’s FA Cup semi-final in opposition to Brighton at Wembley.
Maguire’s absence is a priority as he and Victor Lindelof are actually the one out-and-out centre-backs at United’s disposal.
Requested how a lot religion he had within the pair, Ten Hag stated: “So much. I feel we’ve got first rate centre-halves they usually have proved up to now. They’ve proved