Man Utd learn extent of Lisandro Martinez injury
- Martinez suffered a knee problem during Man Utd's 3-0 win over West Ham
- Manager Erik ten Hag was concerned about a potentially serious injury
- Argentine defender has only recently returned from a foot issue
By Tom Gott
Manchester United centre-back Lisandro Martinez has avoided an ACL injury and is expected to return to action before the end of the current season.
The Argentina international, who has only just returned from a serious foot injury, damaged his knee during Sunday's 3-0 victory over West Ham United, initially trying to play on before being forced off the field midway through the second half.
After the match, manager Erik ten Hag admitted he was worried about the injury and it was quickly feared Martinez may have suffered a season-ending ACL injury. The World Cup winner has been diagnosed with a sprained collateral ligament in his knee and will not require surgery.
A statement from Man Utd reads: "Lisandro Martinez has sustained an injury to the medial collateral ligament in his knee and is expected to be out of action for at least eight weeks.
"The Argentine defender left the field in the 71st minute of our 3-0 win over West Ham United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
"We all wish Licha a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back on the pitch later in the season."
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Martinez is expected to spend eight weeks on the sidelines before a return to competitive action in April.
United travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on 3 April, with Liverpool due to visit Old Trafford three days later.
Bournemouth, Newcastle and Burnley are also on the schedule for April before United close out their Premier League campaign with games against Crystal Palace, Arsenal and finally Brighton on 19 May.
Coping without Martinez is nothing new for Ten Hag, who lost the 26-year-old for 12 games towards the end of last season and 22 across all competitions so far this year.
Ten Hag has previously admitted his concerns towards playing Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire together in defence. Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans are the senior alternatives, while 19-year-old Willy Kambwala has also seen minutes this season.
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