It has been a disastrous season for Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez, which has just got worse.
Manchester United have been struggling with injuries all season, and Lisandro Martinez has been hardest hit.
So it was with a lot of concern that Manchester United fans learned Martinez was heading away with the Argentina squad for international duty.
The defender suffered an injury in early February against West Ham,a torn MCL, which was set to lead to two months out.
Martinez did not play for Argentina, but ramped up his training, and was called into the matchday squad against Brentford after making good progress.
United would have preferred not to use Martinez, but had to call on him after Victor Lindelof suffered a hamstring injury during the match. He looked to be lacking sharpness, and now even worse news has emerged.
Manchester United have confirmed Martinez will face a month on the sidelines after picking up a calf injury in training.
While unrelated to his previous injury, it is common for players to experience muscle injuries soon after returning to action.
The injury will keep Martinez out of the FA Cup semi-final, with United set to face Coventry City in a fortnight’s time.
Manchester United fans react to Lisandro Martinez injury
Manchester United fans have been left angered by this latest injury to Lisandro Martinez, questioning the club’s handling of the centre-back.
Supporters on X blasted the club for permitting him to travel to the USA for the international games where he did not play, and then throwing him straight into a matchday squad with limited training time at Carrington.
One fan blasted: “Properly annoyed at the Martinez news. He clearly wasn’t fit on Saturday so why was he playing? Why was he flying to the US to train with Argentina the week before?”
Another vented: “Absolute incompetence for Martinez to be out again. Why go away with Argentina? Joke”
These thoughts were echoed, with another fan adding: “I still don’t understand why Martinez was allowed to go to Argentina! This is on Ten Hag and the whole medical department.”
A fourth fan added: “This is an absolute joke. Why was he allowed to travel to train with Argentina? Why was he on the bench against Brentford if he wasn’t fully ready to go?”
Another asked the same question, commenting: “Why did Martinez travel with Argentina? Why did he play at the weekend even if it was to replace another injured player? His injury record isn’t looking good.”
One more added: “Honestly Lisandro shouldn’t have travelled to Argentina. I wonder why he was allowed to when he wasn’t even fit!! Now he’s been rushed back, played less than 20mins and injured again.”
Victor Lindelof injury adds to United issues
Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof will both miss the FA Cup semi-final, and all of the upcoming games in April.
This week United face Chelsea and Liverpool in the Premier League, with games against Bournemouth and Sheffield United either side of the contest at Wembley.
United are reliant on Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans and Harry Maguire, all of who are themselves carrying injuries, and young defender Willy Kambwala can expect to get some game time.
Luke Shaw would have been an option at centre-back, but he himself is injured with no projected return date.