Manchester United have confirmed that defender Lisandro Martinez has sustained a cruciate ligament injury, an issue likely to sideline him for the remainder of the season.
The 27-year-old Argentina centre-back was stretchered off after his left knee buckled late in United’s 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Sunday.
"Manchester United can confirm that Lisandro Martinez suffered an injury to his cruciate ligament in Sunday's game against Crystal Palace. Assessment of the injury is ongoing to determine the appropriate course of treatment and the timescale for his rehabilitation. Everyone at Manchester United wishes Lisandro Martinez strength for a successful recovery, and we will be supporting him every step of the way, the club said in an official statement.
United manager Ruben Amorim had already expressed concern after the Palace defeat, calling it a "serious situation."
"Licha is really important for us, not just as a football player but also for the character he brings, especially in tough times like these," Amorim said.
The injury comes at a challenging time for United, who are currently 13th in the Premier League and set to host Leicester City in the FA Cup on Friday.
United reinforced their defensive ranks by signing left-back Patrick Dorgu from Lecce in the January transfer window, but fresh concerns remain over Luke Shaw’s fitness, as the England international has not started a match for the club in nearly a year.
Martinez’s latest setback is particularly frustrating, given that it comes almost exactly a year after he suffered another knee injury against West Ham. While he returned to action on March 30, he was soon sidelined again with a calf problem.
The Argentine has been a key player for United this season, making 32 appearances and scoring goals against Liverpool and Fulham.
