Lisandro Martinez posts emotional message after ACL surgery
- Martinez likely to miss rest of 2025 after undergoing surgery on knee
- Argentine centre-back one of United's most important players this season
- 27-year-old thanks club and supporters for well wishes and vows to overcome injury
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has vowed to put his "heart and soul" into recovering from surgery on his torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
The Argentine picked up the injury in United's recent 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford and is likely to miss the remainder of the calendar year.
Martinez had been one of United's better performers since Ruben Amorim took over the Red Devils in November, scoring a hugely important goal at Anfield as United took a point off bitter rivals Liverpool at the beginning of the year.
But not for the first time in his United career, Martinez must now overcame a major injury setback before he can help push the club back towards their goal of getting back into the Premier League title mix.
Posting on Instagram, Martinez wrote: "Today, after going through several stormy days where I allowed myself to feel and accept my sadness, helplessness, insecurities, fears, and a deep emotional imbalance, I am reconnecting with my essence and my values, which help me see things from a kinder and more positive perspective.
"I feel immense gratitude for the incredible work and support of Man Utd, Argentina federation, my family, friends, teammates, and everyone who took the time to send me a message of encouragement.
"The surgery went perfectly! Now it's time to give it my all, with heart and soul, in the rehabilitation process."
Martinez has previously missed over 50 games for United because of injury, though his latest setback is the most significant in terms of length of recovery.
The diminutive centre-back, nicknamed "the Butcher" because of his fiery style of play, is one of a number of players currently in United's treatment room - Amad Diallo, Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo and Toby Collyer have all picked up injuries this week alone to hugely disrupt United's preparations for their trip to Tottenham Hotspur, joining the likes of Mason Mount and Luke Shaw on the sidelines.
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