Huge blow to Man Utd as Lisandro Martinez is out for rest of season with foot injury vs Sevilla
LISANDRO MARTINEZ is out for the rest of the season with a foot injury — leaving Manchester United with a full-blown defensive crisis.
And United also revealed Martinez’s centre-back partner Raphael Varane is out for a ‘few weeks’ after limping off with a foot injury at half-time in the 2-2 first leg draw.
A club statement read: “Everyone at United sends Lisandro and Rapha our best wishes for a speedy recovery.”
The double injury blow is a major setback for United’s cup treble bid as well as their Premier League top-four hopes.
Club captain Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof are expected to step in for Sunday’s league trip to Nottingham Forest as well as the Euro second leg in Spain on Thursday.
But, in more bad news for boss Erik ten Hag, England centre-back Maguire is suspended for next Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Brighton.
That could leave left-back Luke Shaw or midfielder Casemiro to fill in alongside Sweden defender Lindelof at Wembley.
Argentina World Cup winner Martinez, 25, and classy defender Varane have been key to United’s revival this season.
The Red Devils, fourth in the Prem with nine matches left, have already bagged the Carabao Cup and now aim to make it a treble by adding the Europa League and FA Cup.
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Martinez, who has been a smash hit since his arrival from Ajax last summer, had to be carried off the pitch by two Sevilla players after going over while running on his own. He later left Old Trafford on crutches and wearing a protective boot.
United’s statement on the double injury setback added: “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.
“Lisandro’s defensive partner Raphael Varane was also substituted with an injury at half-time in the same game and is expected to be out for a few weeks.”
Meanwhile, Peter Schmeichel blasted skipper Maguire for showing a lack of leadership late on in Thursday’s tie against Sevilla.
Red Devils legend Schmeichel says Maguire should have stopped Sevilla players carrying Martinez off the pitch when he was crocked.
Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel, Martinez’s Argentine team-mates, picked up the defender with the Spaniards chasing a leveller.
United boss Ten Hag had already made five subs so they were down to ten men for the last few minutes.
And ex-keeper Schmeichel said: “It looks like Sevilla players are nice carrying him. No, they wanted him out so they could get going.
“United players should have stopped that, that’s a lack of leadership on the pitch.
“Harry Maguire should have managed that situation. United players have missed a very good opportunity here.”
Sevilla hit back from 2-0 down thanks to TWO own goals — from Tyrell Malacia and Maguire.