Lisandro Martinez hands Man Utd fresh injury scare

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has withdrawn from Argentina's squad for their World Cup qualifiers with Paraguay and Peru.

The 26-year-old featured in Sunday's 3-0 win over Leicester City, playing the full 90 minutes, but received medical attention in the second half after going to ground.

Martinez made the long journey to South America to link up with his international teammates but will now return to Old Trafford for further assessment. Argentine media suggest Martinez is suffering from a hip injury.

United's first game of the Ruben Amorim era comes against Ipswich Town on November 24, ahead of a hectic run of fixtures that will see the club play nine times in December.

Martinez has started all but one of United's Premier League games this season following an injury-hit 2023/24 campaign that saw him restricted to just 11 top flight appearances, forging a partnership with summer signing Matthijs de Ligt.

Martinez's regular availability has helped offset injuries to Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw, who are still recovering from their respective ailments, but United haven't been able to string together a run of consistent results in the Premier League.

Their poor start to the season saw Erik ten Hag relieved off his duties, leading to a short interim spell in charge for legendary striker Ruud van Nistelrooy. The Dutchman has now left the club after Amorim's arrival from Sporting CP having won three of the four games he took charge of.

Amorim is likely to alter United's formation, implementing a back three that has worked well for him in Portugal, and that move will almost certainly ensure Martinez remains a regular in the team once fit.

United are 13th in the Premier League table, with just four wins from 11 games played, and have won just one of their four Europa League matches - the other three resulting in draws against FC Twente, Fenerbahce and Porto.

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