Erik ten Hag provides Lisandro Martinez injury update as timeframe given for full Man Utd recovery

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has provided an update on the injury suffered by Lisandro Martinez against West Ham on Sunday.

The Argentinian was forced off with a knee injury in the second half after an accidental coming together with Vladimir Coufal when the ball was going out for a throw-in.

Martinez was in visible discomfort after the incident, and although he attempted to continue, the 26-year-old had to be substituted.

There were initial fears that the defender had suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, which would have ruled him out for the season and been the third major injury blow in under a year for the former Ajax star.

But United subsequently confirmed that had not been the case, with Martinez instead suffering a more minor medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury.

It was announced that he would be out of action for 'at least eight weeks', meaning he will almost certainly be missing from United's first team until April.

And while that news could have certainly been worse for Ten Hag and his side, Martinez will still be a significant miss for United ahead of a crucial run of fixtures this season.

And speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of United's trip to Aston Villa on Sunday, Ten Hag gave an update on the defender's recovery and the state of play for the players that are fit.

He commented (quotes via Manchester Evening News): "Yeah, it's a setback of course, Licha just returning. You see his contribution to the team when he's playing.

"Apart from his technical skills, he also brings mentality into the team, but it's a big setback for Licha.

"He's very disappointed about it, but he's a fighter. He will be back and he will be stronger.

"We think he can be back by the end of the season, still games to play.

"As a squad, we have to replace him and we have very good players in that position who can play there, will play there and will perform there. As a squad, we have to deal with it."