Manchester United have reportedly suffered a massive blow with Lisandro Martinez out injured. The Argentine is set to be on the sidelines for a month with a muscle injury.
Erik ten Hag’s Comments on Lisandro Martinez Injury
As per a report in The Telegraph, Erik ten Hag was given some bad news by the Manchester United medical staff this week. The manager had just welcomed back the defender last week and is not set to be without him again.
The 2023/24 season has been injury-ridden for Martinez, as he has missed matches more often than not. The former Ajax star was out from matchweek six to twenty in the Premier League due to a foot injury.
He returned to the squad in January but managed to play just three matches in the league before getting injured again. Martinez picked up a knee injury in the win over West Ham United and missed five league games in 2024. He will make his comeback against Crystal Palace on May 4th, 2024.
Erik ten Hag spoke about the Argentine ahead of the trip to Brentford and stated that he was expecting the defender back in his squad. He heaped praise on the former Ajax star and said:
“Yes, there is a chance (of him being back in the squad). We have missed him every game because he brings a composure in the team, a calmness in the team. At the same time, (he has) a winning attitude, and he can express this very clearly. He can transfer that into the team, and that contributes a lot to our levels.”
Martinez came on for the final 21 minutes of the match against Brentford for Victor Lindelof. He came on in the 69th minute but could not help them keep the clean sheet.
Mason Mount scored in the 96th minute of the match to help the Red Devils take the lead, but Kristoffer Ajaer scored straight from kickoff to help the home side level things up.
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Manchester United have a tough season-ending fixture list
Manchester United have a few tough matches before the season ends this summer. They are fighting to make it to the top 4 but are 11 points behind Aston Villa with 9 matches to go. They are 9 points behind Tottenham, who currently sit 5th – the automatic spot for the UEFA Europa League.
They face Chelsea on Thursday and then take on Liverpool on Sunday. They have Bournemouth and Newcastle United before facing relegation battlers Sheffield United, Burnley, and Crystal Palace. They end the season with Arsenal at home and then Brighton & Hove Albion away from home on the final day of the season.
Erik ten Hag’s side are also in the FA Cup semifinal, where they face Coventry City later this month. They take on the Championship side at Wembley and will be looking to make it to the final, where they will face Chelsea or Manchester City.