Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has described Lisandro Martinez’s injury as a “serious situation” after the Argentine centre-back was stretchered off during Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace.
United had already fallen behind to Jean-Philippe Mateta’s close-range goal when Martinez was left crumpled on the ground. The defender had tangled with Ismaila Sarr, and his knee appeared to buckle under his own weight.
There was a lengthy delay as Martinez was treated by the club’s medical team before being carried off on a stretcher, visibly in distress with tears in his eyes.
“We will see in the next few days, but I think it is a serious situation,” Amorim told Sky Sports after the match. “He’s not only a great player but a strong character in the dressing room. He felt it, and when you’re a player, you know when it’s something serious. We are here to help him through this difficult moment, just as he’s helped us.”
The injury to Martinez forced a reshuffle in United’s defense, with Leny Yoro moving to the left side of the back three. Amorim suggested this disruption led to miscommunication, particularly when Harry Maguire played Daniel Munoz onside, allowing the Palace wing-back to set up Mateta for a second goal in the 89th minute.
“The result is really bad,” Amorim admitted. “The performance was a little bit better than in recent games. We controlled Crystal Palace’s transitions well, but we conceded two avoidable goals, and losing Lisandro Martinez was tough for the team.”
United have now dropped back to 13th in the Premier League standings.
