Manchester United’s defender Lisandro Martinez is currently going through an injury scare. The Argentinian has been bothered by a persisting foot issue. Earlier the player came off in United’s 3-1 loss against Arsenal in the Premier League. Ever since then concerns have surrounded his availability for the Red Devil’s home game against Brighton.
Lisandro Martinez also didn’t feature for his National team in the ongoing FIFA World Cup qualifiers, despite being included in the squad. However, the manager Lionel Scaloni insisted that the defender was well, but didn’t feature due to a problem related to his feet.
With Manchester United gearing up to face Brighton on Saturday, September 16, there are still doubts with regard to his match fitness. However, there were some positive signs for United as the 25-year-old did take part in Argentina’s pre-match training for Bolivia.
🚨 There are thought to be doubts over Lisandro Martinez’s availability against Brighton. [@TelegraphDucker] #MUFC pic.twitter.com/Wzz43lXAqL
— UnitedReds (@UnitedRedscom) September 14, 2023
Till now nothing substantial has come out from the Red Devils’s hierarchy regarding the player’s availability for their next game. However, manager Erik ten Hag would want the player to be a part of his eleven against Brighton. The manager has played him in all four matches of the season 2023-2024 so far. Also, United’s senior defender Raphael Varane will be out for some weeks with an injury issue of his own.
Since joining United in July 2022, the 25-year-old has so far played 49 matches for them. Out of these matches, 31 were in the Premier League. His current contract with the club runs until June 2027. He was an integral part of Manchester United’s squad that lifted the Carabao Cup in February 2023. The number 25 made his debut for Argentina in March 2019, coming from the ranks of Argentina’s under-23 and under-20.
Previous injury history of Lisandro Martinez
During the 2019–2020 season, Martinez faced a hamstring injury, which kept him out of action for almost a month. In the season 2020-2021 with AFC Ajax, the Argentinian got a knock, resulting in him being sidelined for a week and a game. A bigger injury to the player came during the season 2021–2022. A muscle injury kept the 25-year-old out for two months, resulting in him missing ten games for Argentina.
Just a year after recovering from his muscle injury, the player suffered a metatarsal fracture. The injury, which occurred in mid-April of 2023, sidelined him from any playing action for a period of close to seventy-five days. The United’s number six went through surgery after the injury.
His taking-off in the recent game versus Arsenal was touted to be something related to his earlier injuries. With his current foot-related issues, it remains to be seen if the defender plays for United in their upcoming match against Brighton.