Manchester United injury update: Report claims star player ruled out for rest of season, teammate may also miss remainder of campaign
Lisandro Martinez is reportedly set to miss the remainder of the season for Manchester United after his foot injury against Sevilla on Thursday (April 13).
The Argentine defender exited the pitch on a stretcher in the 86th minute as his team drew 2-2 in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League quarterfinals. The Red Devils were 2-1 up when Martinez left the field, reducing his team to ten men, as they exhausted their substitutions.
An own goal by Harry Maguire a few minutes after the former Ajax centre-back's departure meant Los Rojiblancos secured a draw at Old Trafford. However, Manchester United's woes didn't stop there.
According to The Athletic journalist David Ornstein, Martinez is set to be out with a foot injury for the remainder of the season. There are concerns that Raphael Varane could suffer a similar fate, too.
The French centre-back also injured his foot against Sevilla and was brought off at half-time for Maguire. The Red Devils are hopeful that they can have him back before the end of the season.
Manager Erik ten Hag has Maguire and Victor Lindelof as his first-team centre-back options right now. Teden Mengi and Phil Jones are also on the club's books, but they haven't played this season.
Erik ten Hag disappointed with Manchester United's draw against Sevilla
Many would argue that Sevilla have the momentum going into the return leg of the UEFA Europa League quarterfinal against Manchester United after the 2-2 draw.
Not only will Ten Hag potentially miss both Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez, but Sevilla will also have the backing of their home fans. Ten Hag feels his team should have scored more and buried the game when they had the chance.
All five of Manchester United's shots on target came before the 36th minute. Sevilla grew into the game and were also helped by the hosts' injury woes. After the game, the Dutch manager said (h/t India Today):
"We had the game in our hands; we were 2-0 up and should have scored three or four; then we had some unlucky moments with injuries. I know we can do better in the last part of the game; we have to be more composed. We were a little bit unlucky defensively. It wasn’t a nice night."
The two teams will face each other at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan next Thursday (April 20). Before that, the Red Devils and Sevilla face Nottingham Forest and Valencia, respectively, in their respective domestic league on Sunday (April 16).