(Football news) Manchester United are currently facing an injury crisis as Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane got injured against Sevilla in the Europa League. Martinez was seen falling on the floor unchallenged during the closing stages of the match and was carried off the pitch by Sevilla’s Marcos Acura and Gonzalo Montiel, his teammates from the Argentina national team. As for Varane, the Frenchman was substituted during half time due to an injury.
A statement released by Manchester United read “Lisandro Martinez has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after fracturing a metatarsal bone in his foot. However, the Argentinian defender is expected to make a full recovery in time to be ready for the start of next season.” The Argentine has been an integral part of Manchester United’s squad for Erik ten Hag, playing 45 games for the club in his debut season.
The injuries to Martinez and Varane means Ten Hag will now need to rely on Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof who have been part time players this season. In an interview, Ten Hag said “I have a lot [of faith]. I think I have decent centre-halves and they proved that in the past, they have proved this season. I think we have four or five very good centre-halves who can do the job.”
Harry Maguire has started just six Premier League matches this season and scored an own goal against Sevilla on Thursday while Lindelof has started only five league games with left back Luke Shaw being preferred at centre-back instead of the Swede on occasions. Shaw could feature in the starting lineup once again against Nottingham Forest, having missed two games due to an injury.
With nine Premier League games remaining as well as the club competing in the FA Cup and the Europa League, Manchester United will need to make the best out of a bad situation to have a good finish to their season. Erik ten Hag’s side have already won the Carabao Cup and will want to finish in the top 4 as well as win at least one more trophy before the season comes to a close.
Also read: Europa League: Manchester United squander two goal lead to draw 2-2 against Sevilla
