Erik ten Hag gives Lisandro Martinez update as Man United sweat over injury severity

Manchester United are sweating over the fitness of Lisandro Martinez after he suffered what looked like a nasty injury.

On Thursday night, United arrived at Old Trafford looking to get their Europa League quarter-final tie to the best possible start against Sevilla.

After 21 minutes, things were looking great as Marcel Sabitzer scored twice in the space of seven minutes to give United a 2-0 lead.

With the game heading into the last 10 minutes, it looked like United were going to hold on for a comfortable victory.

However, things began to unravel drastically for Erik ten Hag and his men.

Tyrell Malacia deflected a Jesus Navas cross into the back of his own net in the 84th minute to give Sevilla some hope.

Two minutes later, Martinez went down unchallenged and was clutching the back of his ankle in agony.

The defender had to be carried off the pitch as he was visibly emotional after suffering what looked like a bad injury.

Deep into added time, things got even worse for United as Harry Maguire deflected a Youssef En Nesyri header into the back of his own goal, Sevilla have somehow made it 2-2.

After the match, concerns started to grow over the severity of Martinez’s injury.

"We conceded 2 own goals – that's bad luck."

Erik ten Hag reacts to Man Utd's draw against Sevilla and the injuries to Raphaël Varane and Lisandro Martínez 🗣️#UEL pic.twitter.com/wDcThAaFRp

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 13, 2023

When asked about the injury, United boss Ten Hag told BT Sport: “With Licha Martinez, he drops out after a moment where there was no opponent. It doesn’t look that great. We have to wait.”

According to David McDonnell of the Daily Mirror, United are concerned that Martinez may have snapped his Achilles, which would rule him out for several months.

However, Ten Hag stated that Martinez's injury is not Achilles related during the post-match press conference, he said: “I cannot tell what it is but it is not Achilles. No that is not the area.

“I think he will not play on Sunday, it looks like that but I can't say what is the diagnosis. I prefer to wait to say what it is.”

A few Q’s on this - didn’t look good for Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez. Non-contact, pushing off mechanism. Major concern is achilles tear, complete rupture would be surgery/6+ months recovery. Best hope probably peroneal tendon dislocation #MUFC pic.twitter.com/vBozfKxW2I

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) April 13, 2023

Argentine media outlet TyC Sports journalist Gaston Edul tweeted: “Lisandro Martínez has an inflamed area and that is why they are going to do studies later, but it is presumed that the injury is in the tendon.”

Apart from Martinez, fellow centre-back Raphael Varane was also injured and was substituted at half-time.

On Varane’s injury, Ten Hag said: “With Rapha, it’s an injury complaint [he’s had] over the last couple of weeks, so we have to see how it is now.”

United will be back in Premier League action this weekend as they take on Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon.