Lisandro Martinez injury: Progress & potential return date for Man Utd centre-back
- Erik ten Hag labelled Lisandro Martinez's knee injury as a 'personal disaster'
- Martinez limped off against West Ham at Old Trafford in early February
- Defender was starting just his third Premier League game since September
There were serious concerns regarding the injury sustained by Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez in victory over West Ham in early February, with Erik ten Hag labelling the Argentine's issue a 'disaster'.
In a campaign laden with troughs following the promise of 2022/23, the 3-0 win against the Irons was a rare serene outing for the Red Devils, with Man Utd having finally hit a run of form following the Old Trafford triumph.
However, United's victory was soured by Martinez's withdrawal. The defender, who had only just returned from a lengthy absence, was forced off with 20 minutes remaining after sustaining a nasty injury when attempting to shield the ball from Vladimir Coufal.
The former Ajax star missed 22 games after undergoing foot surgery back in September and is now set for another lengthy period on the sidelines.
What injury does Lisandro Martinez have?
After using his body to shield the ball out for a goal kick to Man Utd, Martinez crumbled to the turf as his leg was trapped underneath the weight of a falling Coufal. The World Cup winner tried to continue until the final whistle, but understandably couldn't play through the pain.
Ten Hag confirmed that Martinez had suffered a worrying injury against the Hammers, damaging his medial collateral ligament in the back of his knee - a devastating blow for the defender following his previous injury woes.
When will Lisandro Martinez return from injury?
Man Utd's initial fears about Martinez's knee injury were confirmed after further tests, with the club revealing that he would be sidelined for eight to ten weeks. Given he suffered the problem at the beginning of February, he won't return to action until April at the earliest.
In that time, he will miss some crucial matches for Man Utd as they push for the top four, including clashes with Manchester City and Everton - and potentially match-ups with Liverpool and Chelsea in early April.
What Man Utd games has Lisandro Martinez missed due to injury?
Martinez has missed just three games for Man Utd so far, although that will soon be four when the Red Devils face Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup fifth round. Ten Hag's side looked to be coping adequately even if not entirely convincingly in his absence, winning successive matches against Aston Villa and Luton Town on the road.
However, Man Utd's winning run was brought to an abrupt halt when they welcomed Fulham to Old Trafford, with the Cottagers running out deserved 2-1 winners in Manchester.
How have Man Utd done without Lisandro Martinez and who replaced him?
Man Utd may have won two of their three matches without the Argentine centre-back, but they have not been too stoic in their defensive displays. They haven't kept a clean sheet without him and have looked vulnerable at the back, conceding far too many shots at goal.
Harry Maguire has been the chief replacement, moving over to the left-hand side of defence, and the Englishman has not covered himself in glory. He was hooked at half-time against Luton after fortuitously escaping a second yellow card and, despite scoring against Fulham, he struggled in the recent clash with the Cottagers.
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