(Football news) Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag expressed his concerns following the game about the Argentina international, who had to be substituted in the 71st minute of Sunday’s 3-0 triumph over the Hammers due to a knee injury.
The center defender will be sidelined “for at least eight weeks,” according to Man United, who has officially announced that he has ruptured his medial collateral ligament.
“Lisandro Martinez has sustained an injury to the medial collateral ligament in his knee and is expected to be out of action for at least eight weeks,” read a statement on the club’s official website.
“The Argentine defender left the field in the 71st minute of our 3-0 win over West Ham United at Old Trafford on Sunday. We all wish Licha a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back on the pitch later in the season.”
Martinez is expected to return before the campaign is out, despite the original worry that he may have injured his ACL, which would have required surgery and a protracted recovery.
Martinez returned to action on January 14 against Tottenham Hotspur, marking his first appearance since mid-September due to a foot injury.
At the beginning of the season, the 26-year-old had to have his second foot surgery of the year because the first one, performed back in April, did not completely heal his fractured metatarsal. Martinez, who has only been able to play in eight Premier League games this year, is now expected to miss more time due to injury.
Although Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof have both returned to duty after injury concerns, the news is still a significant setback for Man United. Maguire might be in line for a run in the team with Raphael Varane after making his first Premier League start since December 9 against West Ham on Sunday.
Also participating in the match against West Ham was Lindelof, who made his league debut after the match against Chelsea on December 6 by coming on late. Sunday afternoon, Man United travels to Villa Park to play Aston Villa in a thrilling Premier League match. They will be looking to make it four wins in a row across all competitions.
