Manchester United have been dealt a crushing blow with fears that Lisandro Martinez has suffered a torn ACL in his left knee, potentially ruling him out for the next six months.
The Argentine defender was stretchered off in visible distress during Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford, and early reports from South America suggest the worst-case scenario for the 27-year-old.
United’s medical team is still assessing the full extent of the injury, but initial indications suggest that Martinez will not play again this season. The setback is a major concern for head coach Ruben Amorim, who may be forced to reshuffle his defensive options. Luke Shaw, who has not started a match in nearly a year, is nearing a return to full training and could be deployed on the left side of United’s back three in Martinez’s absence.
Additionally, United may consider accelerating the integration of new signing Ayden Heaven, who was unveiled at Old Trafford on Sunday following his £1.5 million move from Arsenal. However, relying on an inexperienced defender to fill Martinez’s void would be a significant gamble for a team struggling in the league and still competing on multiple fronts.
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This injury comes almost exactly a year after Martinez suffered medial ligament damage in his right knee, which sidelined him for eight weeks. His time at United has been plagued by fitness issues, including a three-month absence last season due to complications from a broken metatarsal sustained at the end of his debut campaign.
Speaking after the defeat to Crystal Palace, Amorim acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating: “I think it is a serious situation. A bad situation for us and especially for Licha. He’s not just a great player but a strong character in the dressing room. It’s really hard on us, especially in this moment.” The manager also emphasized the need for the squad to rally around Martinez as he faces another long road to recovery.
United, currently sitting 13th in the Premier League, have 14 league fixtures remaining, along with ongoing campaigns in the FA Cup and UEFA Europa League. With a round-of-16 tie against Real Sociedad, Galatasaray, AZ Alkmaar, or Midtjylland on the horizon in March, Amorim will need to find solutions quickly to cope with Martinez’s absence as the club fights to salvage its season.
