Lisandro Martinez will undergo surgery on his right metatarsal and will miss the rest of Manchester United’s season after suffering a foot injury during the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final first leg with Sevilla on Thursday night.
The 25-year-old centre-back fell to the ground clutching his right foot and had to be carried off the field in the 86th minute of the 2-2 draw at Old Trafford, eventually leaving on a stretcher.
Fellow defender Raphael Varane was also forced off the match with a foot injury, the injury still being assessed. There are fears his campaign could also come to an end, but the club hold out a fervent hope that has not been proven.
The club later confirmed the news in a statement on Friday evening.
“Lisandro Martínez has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a fractured metatarsal bone,” the statement read. However, the Argentine defender is expected to make a full recovery in time to be ready for the start of next season.
Martinez was injured in the 86th minute of Thursday night’s 2-2 draw with Sevilla in the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals.
Lesandro’s defensive partner Raphael Varane was also replaced with a first-half injury in the same match and is expected to be out for a few weeks.
Since joining from Ajax last summer, Martinez has been a key player for the club, developing an effective partnership with Varane at the heart of United’s defence.
The defender, who was an important player in the Argentine squad that won the World Cup in Qatar last December, played 45 matches in all competitions, including 27 in the Premier League, scoring one goal.
Manchester United are next in action against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Sunday.
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(Photo: Getty Images)
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