Manchester United have confirmed that Lisandro Martinez suffered a cruciate ligament injury during the team’s 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace. The Argentina defender was carried off on a stretcher in the second half after appearing in tears as he walked off the field, suggesting the injury was serious.
Though United’s statement did not describe the precise nature of the injury, reports indicated it might be anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) damage, something that might keep Martinez out for the better part of the next two years.
“Manchester United can confirm that Lisandro Martinez sustained an injury to his cruciate ligament during Sunday’s match against Crystal Palace,” the club said. “Lisandro will receive our full support to go through assessment to see what the appropriate course of treatment and recovery looks like.”
Martinez’s absence compounds the defensive problems at United, with Jonny Evans also hurt. Manager Ruben Amorim has precious few options left to fill the three-man defense, with names like Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt, Victor Lindelof and January signing Ayden Heaven.
Luke Shaw had been a candidate for an emergency role on the left of a three-man defence, but the England international’s rehabilitation has not gone as planned and he is still sidelined.
The season, and life without its towering, commanding centre-half, begins to grow more challenging for United.
