Devastating Lisandro Martinez injury update after Man Utd star stretchered off in tears during Crystal Palace defeat
Defensive woes stacking up for Ruben Amorim after record-breaking defeat
MANCHESTER UNITED fear Lisandro Martinez could be ruled out for the rest of the season.
The Argentine defender left the Old Trafford pitch in tears on a stretcher during Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace.
Martinez, 27, tussled for the ball with Eagles star Ismaila Sarr late on.
But he appeared to get his leg stuck in the turf and was in serious pain.
Now the suggest dressing room sources worry he may not return for Ruben Amorim during the 2024-25 campaign as he faces a lengthy spell out.
Four months on the sidelines would mean Martinez does not take to the field again this term.
Martinez has had four separate injury problems during his time at United following his 2022 arrival from Ajax.
He missed the end of his debut season with a metatarsal fracture before foot, calf and knee problems during a hampered 2023-24 campaign.
Now the apparent knee issue has left Amorim fearing the worst – especially after Martinez’s recent form at both ends of the pitch.
He chipped in with crucial goals against Liverpool and Fulham, helping United pick up four important points.
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The manager said on Sunday: “I think it is a serious situation, a bad situation for us and especially for Licha.
“I think we are going to see in the next days but I think it is a serious situation.
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“It’s really hard on us, he’s not just a great player but a strong character in the dressing room. Especially in this moment, it’s hard for us.
“Now it is time for all of us to help Licha. He felt it and, when you are a player, you know when it is serious.
“Let’s hope for better days for him. We are here, like I say, to help him in this difficult moment.”
Martinez joins Mason Mount, Jonny Evans and Luke Shaw in the injury room at United.
The defeat was a painful one for Amorim personally, too.
It was his fifth home Premier League loss as Red Devils boss already – after just seven games.
That is the quickest run to five home Premier League defeats for any Manchester United – doing so twice as fast as the previous record of 14 held by David Moyes.
Man Utd player ratings vs Crystal Palace
MANCHESTER UNITED'S mini-revival under Ruben Amorim came to an abrupt end as Crystal Palace ran out 2-0 winners at Old Trafford.
Here’s how the Red Devils stars rated on a disappointing day.
Andre Onana – 5
Was left vulnerable by a shaky back-line and beaten by Lacroix’s looping header, which came off the crossbar into Mateta’s path.
But he couldn’t do much about the second goal.
Leny Yoro – 5
Came in for De Ligt, who was benched. Was inches away from scoring his first United goal early on.
Did well to block Mitchell after a Mazraoui error, but his positioning was a problem later in the game.
Harry Maguire – 3
Lost his battle with centre forward Mateta, who held the ball up well and got in behind every time, and was left stranded for the Frenchman’s first goal.
Hasn’t connected with Yoro. Palace, namely Sarr, opened them both up with ease and should’ve buried some chances through Mateta.
Lisandro Martinez – 6
Was stretchered off after jarring his knee in the 79th minute.
The Argentine has been scoring the goals recently, but blazed a centre-back’s shot over the bar on the brink of half-time.
Noussair Mazraoui – 5
He was okay in the right wing-back role again but it is obviously not his best position.
Struggled with the dual threat of Mitchell and Daichi Kamada down Palace’s left side.
Diogo Dalot – 4
Awful link-up play with a horrible blind pass inside the Palace box in a promising team position before the break.
He’s not a left winger and it’s clear why Patrick Dorgu has been signed.
Manuel Ugarte – 6
Missing in the middle when Mateta’s stunning 80-yard run. Missed half a chance in the second-half.
Bruno Fernandes – 5
Restricted. Couldn’t get forward much and was unlucky not to score from his usual 20-yard territory after being denied by Henderson.
Was one of three United players booked.
Amad Diallo – 6
Great individual runs, on and off the ball. Dropped to wing-back after Mainoo came off and was involved in anything good creatively.
Alejandro Garnacho – 5
Predictable build-up. But worked hard tracking back as one of the two 10s.
Was quieter in the second half and struggled to step up when the going got tough.
Kobbie Mainoo – 4
Huge experiment by Amorim to have Mainoo lead the line, albeit falsely. It didn’t pay off, but it wasn’t all his fault.
He didn’t get the service or have the hold up play required to be effective.
SUBS
Hojlund (’70 for Mainoo) – 5
Came on for the last 20 minutes and ran around a bit without doing much of note.
Zirkzee (’70 for Mazraoui) – 5
As above, not a great deal to write home about despite trying to make things happen.