It appears that Lisandro Martínez has suffered another serious injury. The central defender left the field in tears in the final moments of the match after seemingly twisting his knee. Manchester United manager Rúben Amorim expects to be without him for an extended period.
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Manchester United suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Crystal Palace on Saturday, but the result itself was overshadowed by a worrying injury to Lisandro Martínez.
The Argentine defender was forced off the pitch in the closing stages of the game, visibly in distress after appearing to twist his knee. His emotional reaction, leaving the field in tears, immediately raised fears that he had suffered another serious setback, further complicating United’s already challenging season.
Martínez, known for his resilience and tenacity, quickly signaled to the bench that he could not continue, prompting immediate concern from teammates and medical staff. The injury occurred in an awkward moment during a defensive action, with the defender going down clutching his knee in clear pain. While the full extent of the damage is yet to be determined, the sight of the 26-year-old limping off in agony did little to ease the fears of the coaching staff, players, and supporters.
Following the match, United manager Rúben Amorim addressed the situation, acknowledging that things did not look good for the center-back. "It didn’t look good; it seems to be a serious injury," Amorim said in his post-match press conference. "It’s a tough situation for us, but especially for Licha. We all need to support him in the coming weeks."
The Portuguese manager stressed that while the medical staff would conduct further tests to determine the exact nature of the injury, his gut feeling was far from positive. "We’re waiting for confirmation, but from what I saw and from what the staff initially told me, it doesn’t seem like something minor. That is really unfortunate for him and for us," he added. "He is not just a fantastic player but also a strong personality in the dressing room. His absence, especially at this moment, is very difficult for us."
Martínez’s injury history since his arrival at Manchester United has been particularly frustrating. The former Ajax star has already endured a series of setbacks, most notably a fractured metatarsal that kept him sidelined for months. After making his return, he suffered another foot injury that forced him back into rehabilitation. Additionally, he has struggled with knee and calf issues, leading to multiple shorter absences. Each time he has worked his way back into the team, another setback has followed, making this latest injury a devastating blow both for the player and the club.
United now faces a difficult challenge in compensating for Martínez’s potential long-term absence. The Argentine international is a key figure in Amorim’s defensive setup, providing leadership, aggression, and composure at the back. His ability to organize the defense and contribute to the build-up play has made him one of United’s most valuable assets, and losing him at such a crucial stage of the season presents a major tactical dilemma for the manager.
With the Premier League entering a decisive phase and United still competing in multiple competitions, Amorim will have to rely on alternative options in defense. The likes of Raphaël Varane, Victor Lindelöf, and Harry Maguire will need to step up, but none possess the same combination of technical ability and defensive intensity that Martínez brings to the side. The club may also be forced to explore emergency reinforcements in the transfer market if the injury proves to be as severe as feared.
The defeat against Crystal Palace only compounds United’s woes, as the team continues to struggle for consistency. Dropping three points against a lower-ranked opponent was already a frustrating outcome, but losing Martínez in the process made it an even more bitter night for the Red Devils. Crystal Palace, on the other hand, capitalized on United’s struggles and delivered a well-organized performance to secure a deserved victory.
For Martínez, the coming days will be crucial in determining the length of his absence. The club’s medical team is expected to conduct scans and further evaluations, with a full diagnosis likely to be announced soon. If it turns out to be a serious ligament injury, it could mean another extended spell on the sidelines, dealing a heavy blow to both the player’s ambitions and United’s defensive stability.
As the team awaits clarity on his condition, the focus will now be on adapting to his absence and finding a way to regain momentum in the league. Amorim will have to reshuffle his defensive structure and ensure that United does not suffer further setbacks in their push for a strong finish to the season. However, one thing is certain Lisandro Martínez’s absence will be deeply felt both on and off the pitch.
