Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Manchester United, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Premier League, West Ham United, Erik Ten Hag
Alex Brotherton
Topics: Manchester United, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Premier League, West Ham United, Erik Ten Hag
Manchester United fans were quick to spot what Luke Shaw did immediately after Lisandro Martinez went down injured on Sunday.
Man United eased to an impressive 3-0 win against West Ham on Sunday, with Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho both on target at Old Trafford.
However, the win came at a significant cost for Erik ten Hag's side as Lisandro Martinez limped off the field with a suspected knee injury.
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The Argentine centre-back only returned from a four-month injury lay-off early last month, but when West Ham's Vladimir Coufal landed awkwardly on his knee fans feared he had suffered a season-ending Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury.
On Monday it was widely reported that rather than damaging his ACL, Martinez has sprained a medial collateral ligament in the knee.
While that's relatively good news, a predicted eight-week absence represents a significant blow to United's hopes of securing Champions League football next season.
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Martinez is a fan favourite at Old Trafford, and it's clear that he is a popular figure in the dressing room as well.
Eagle-eyed United fans quickly spotted that as soon as Martinez went down in a heap, United teammate Luke Shaw immediately knelt down beside him to comfort him.
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Replying to a tweet highlighting Shaw's reaction, one fan said: "They know he's the best player we have."
Another said: "Shaw went to him like 'don't leave me again brother'," while one fan joked, "I would give him my leg."
United have endured an underwhelming campaign after improving under Ten Hag last season.
One area of the team that has caused the most concern is defence, with the likes of Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans failing to convince while Martinez was unavailable.
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United's form has taken an upward turn since Martinez returned - they won three of the four games he featured in - but now Ten Hag will have to find a way to cope without the Argentine once again.