Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez Faces Extended Absence Due to Severe Knee Injury

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez may be sidelined for an extended period after reportedly suffering a serious knee ligament injury. The 27-year-old Argentine international had to be carried off the field on a stretcher during the latter stages of United’s Premier League match against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Martinez appeared to injure his left knee while attempting to challenge Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr for the ball. He immediately fell to the ground in obvious pain, signaling to the bench that he needed to be substituted. As he was taken off the pitch, Martinez was visibly distraught and in tears.

Following the match, Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim expressed concern, stating the injury to Martinez appeared to be “serious.” Reports from Argentina now suggest that medical tests conducted on Monday have confirmed Martinez suffered a ruptured cruciate ligament in his left knee.

If these reports are accurate, Martinez will likely require surgery and could be out of action for approximately eight months. This would rule him out for the remainder of the current season and potentially impact the start of the next campaign as well.

Amorim emphasized Martinez’s importance to the squad, noting: “He is not only an excellent player but also a strong presence in the dressing room. We will support him through this difficult period, just as he has supported us.”

This latest setback continues a string of injury woes for Martinez since joining Manchester United in July 2022. He missed the conclusion of his debut season with a metatarsal fracture and has battled various foot, calf, and knee problems throughout the current 2023-24 campaign.

The loss of Martinez for an extended period will be a significant blow to Manchester United’s defensive options as they look to salvage their season and push for a top-four finish in the Premier League.