Lisandro Martinez injury: Progress & potential return date for Man Utd star

Manchester United fans face an anxious wait to find out just how long crucial defender Lisandro Martinez will be out for.

The Argentine World Cup winner had to be carried off by some of his compatriots during United's 2-2 draw with Sevilla in the Europa League and his extended absence would give manager Erik ten Hag yet another starting XI conundrum.

Here's what we know about the injury so far and when Martinez may return.

What injury has Lisandro Martinez got?

Man Utd are yet to confirm the exact nature of Martinez's injury. Ten Hag has been vague when asked about the knock, which is claimed to be a fractured metatarsal by the press in the player's native Argentina.

Such an injury can take six weeks to several months to recover from, which is what is making certain United fans rather itchy. Ten Had admitted after the Sevilla draw that the instant prognosis wasn't promising.

He told BT Sport: "We've seen Lisandro drops out after a moment where there was no opponent involved so it does not look great. I can't say [how serious it is] at this moment."

United will communicate an update once the exact nature of the injury has been confirmed, though Ten Hag did add in his pre-Nottingham Forest press conference: "No, sorry, [I do not know any more information]. It is not even 24 hours [since the Sevilla match] so I don't have complete diagnosis. So I can't tell [the severity of the injuries] in this moment.

"When we have news we will give it straight to you. But let's do the medical, do their assessments and full diagnose, complete diagnose, and then we will give you the news. But I think it doesn't change in this moment."

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What Man Utd games could Lisandro Martinez miss?

Given we're well into April with around a month and a half of the season remaining, this injury could bring a curtain down on Martinez's debut United season.

Fans should wait until United deliver an update on the 25-year-old defender before biting off too many nails, but if it is a fractured metatarsal, that would leave Martinez struggling to be fit for a couple of potential finals at the end of the campaign.

United's Europa League progress has been threatened by the 2-2 draw with Sevilla, while they must overcome Brighton in the FA Cup semi finals to reach the comPetition's final. Whether Martinez would be sharp enough to feature in such high-profile Games after a major injury is another question.

Man Utd's upcoming fixture list

• 16/04/2023 - Nottingham Forest v Manchester United (17:30)
• 20/04/2023 - Sevilla v Manchester United (Europa League, 20:00)
• 23/04/2023 - Brighton v Manchester United (FA Cup, 16:30)
• 27/04/2023 - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United (20:15)
• 30/04/2023 - Manchester United v Aston Villa (14:00)
• 04/05/2023 - Brighton v Manchester United (20:00)
• 07/05/2023 - West Ham United v Manchester United (19:00)
• 13/05/2023 - Manchester United v Wolverhampton Wanderers (15:00)
• 20/05/2023 - A.F.C. Bournemouth v Manchester United (15:00)
• 28/05/2023 - Manchester United v Fulham (16:30)

Who could replace Lisandro Martinez?

The major problem Ten Hag has right now is he needs to replace two outstanding central defenders during United's imminent schedule, with Raphael Varane also getting injured in the draw with Sevilla.

Club captain Harry Maguire, whose stock among United fans is pretty low, is in line to feature in the first choice duo's absence, while Luke Shaw was played in central defence earlier in the season and could shuffle infield once more. He is also injured right now, however.

Victor Lindelof is even further down the pecking order, while Casemiro could be deployed at the back if Ten Hag doesn't trust his remaining options.