Man Utd handed huge boost ahead of Liverpool clash that Erik ten Hag won't have expected

Manchester United have been handed an unexpected boost ahead of their FA Cup clash with Liverpool.

Erik ten Hag's side will go head-to-head with their arch-rivals in a mouthwatering quarter-final at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Both sides have had their injury struggles this season, although Liverpool showed in their recent draw with Manchester City that they can still perform well without key players.

United are currently short on defenders, but it could be that one star returns to injury sooner than expected.

Lisandro Martinez has been called up to the Argentina squad for their round of international fixtures this month despite currently nursing a knee injury.

Martinez missed much of the season with a foot injury he sustained in September last year, and his return to action lasted just three Premier League games before he suffered a knee injury in early February.

United confirmed that Martinez would be sidelined for eight to 10 weeks while he recovered from a medial collateral ligament injury in his knee.

Martinez was expected to return to action in early April, but his inclusion in the Argentina squad suggests he could be back sooner.

Lisandro Martinez picking up his knee injury.

Though he is unlikely to feature against Liverpool this weekend, he could return for the Premier League outing against Brentford on March 30, and the subsequent encounters with Chelsea and Liverpool.

However, that all depends on how the 26-year-old gets on with Argentina.

It's not clear whether Martinez will be able to feature in friendlies against El Salvador and Costa Rica on March 23 and 27 respectively, but manager Lionel Scaloni wanted to have him in the camp anyway.

According to the Daily Mail, United have agreed to allow Martinez to travel to the United States for the games, where he will continue his rehab.

Other reports claim that Scaloni wants Martinez in the squad irrespective of his fitness, so that he can partake in preparations for this summer's Copa America.

Topics: Argentina, Erik Ten Hag, FA Cup, Lisandro Martinez, Liverpool, Manchester United, Premier League

Alex Brotherton

Alex Brotherton is a Sports Trends Writer at SPORTbible. He has previously worked with publications including the Manchester Evening News, GOAL and BBC Sport. He is a football fanatic, but also dabbles in tennis and American football. He enjoys running, cooking and watching non-league football.

@alex_brotherton