Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim during a press conference at the Trafford Training Centre, Carrington. Picture: Martin Rickett
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez will be out of action for the foreseeable future after the Argentina international suffered an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury, manager Ruben Amorim said on Thursday.
Martinez was carried off on a stretcher during Sunday’s 2-0 home loss to Crystal Palace, and has joined a United injury list that also includes midfielder Mason Mount, and defenders Luke Shaw and Jonny Evans.
“Licha (Martinez) is a difficult situation. He’s going to be out for a while,” Amorim told reporters ahead of Friday night’s FA Cup fourth-round match against Leicester City.
“We don’t know the extent of the injury, but it’s an injury that is going to take time.”
The club said they were still assessing the injury to decide the right treatment, giving no time scale for his rehabilitation.
Martinez had been an integral part of the defence, slotting in at left-sided centre back in a back three or in back four.
The 27-year-old has made 24 appearances in all competitions this season and scored two goals last month – the opener in a 2-2 draw at Liverpool and the winner at Fulham.
Martinez injured his medial collateral ligament last year, which had kept him sidelined for two months.
He is also likely to miss Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil next month.
Shaw was expected to make a comeback from injury, but Amorim said the 29-year-old defender, who has yet to start a game this season, had suffered a setback.
“Luke... one small issue in a different area from the last injury. So, we’ll try to be careful with Luke,” Amorim said.
Amorim said United’s new defensive recruits, Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven, were ready to play.
United made no other signings in the mid-season window to replace Marcus Rashford and Antony after both forwards went out on loan.
“What I feel is that the club is taking its time. We know the urgency of the moment, of the team,” Amorim said.
“In the summer, we will see. But like I said, we are being really careful with transfers because we made some mistakes in the past.”
With United 13th in the Premier League, Amorim accepts he could come under pressure – but the Portuguese boss is not changing his philosophy.
“I know when I chose this profession that you have the risk of results,” he said. “I knew when I came here and I looked at the schedule, I looked at the team, my decision changing everything in the middle of the season without new signings is a danger for a coach.
“But I have a clear idea of what I want to do, and I take these risks because, in the end, it’s going to pay off. But I’m not naive ... This is a sport of results, and we are in a difficult situation.”
Reuters
Selected FA Cup Fixtures (SA Times)
Friday – 10pm: Manchester United vs Leicester City
Saturday – 2.15pm: Leyton Orient vs Manchester City. 7.45pm: Birmingham vs Newcastle. 10pm: Brighton vs Chelsea
Sunday – 5pm: Plymouth Argyle vs Liverpool. 7.35pm: Aston Villa vs Tottenham
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