Lisandro Martinez suffered a blow during the home match (Courtesy: Manchester United)
Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag said his central defender Lisandro Martinez has suffered a potentially “very bad” injury during their 3-0 win against West Ham at Old Trafford on Sunday. The Dutch added that the injury to Martinez, who only returned from a long-term foot injury last month, could be a “personal disaster” for the Argentine World Cup winner.
Martinez suffered the blow when tangling with West Ham”s Vladimir Coufal while attempting to shield the ball out for a goal kick in the second half. He carried on making his way onto the pitch when Jarrod Bowen raced through on goal. Diogo Dalot made a last-ditch save but after chasing down the loose ball Martinez collapsed in pain again when he was trying to challenge it.
The center back could carry on from there on and was forced to head for the tunnel, clearly grimacing and emotional. “I can”t tell the detail but it seems bad,” Ten Hag said during the post match. “We have to wait for the detail and making the right diagnosis in the coming days. We”ll see what is going on. In this moment, we”re very sad about this but, hopefully, it”s not too bad. We can only pray.
“We have to find out in the next days what is the diagnosis. It”s very bad for him and very bad for the team. He”s just returning and is a very important part for us. Last season, when he fell out, I felt our performances dropped a level. We have to avoid that because we have a good squad and centre-backs who can fill in. But he definitely brings spirit to the team, apart from his footballing abilities.
“It”s disappointing for the team and especially for Licha. It”s so frustrating, he worked hard to return now for two games. It looks like he has to sit some games out injured again but let”s stay positive at this moment. Hopefully, it”s not too bad but we have to wait.”
French veteran Rapahel Varane replaced Martinez in the 70th minute. He helped the Red Devils keep a clean sheep alongside Harry Maguire who started the match with Martinez. The Premier League victory helped Manchester United leapfrog West Ham to the sixth spot.
