Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has given an update on the fitness of centre-backs Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane after both players were taken off in the Red Devils’ 2-2 draw with Sevilla in the UEFA Europa League quarter-final first leg on Friday.
Varane was taken off at half-time with Harry Maguire taking his place while Martinez was taken off in the closing stages of the game with difficulty moving and ultimately placed on a stretcher.
Ten Hag stated that Martinez’s condition doesn’t look good but he will wait on the medical team to assess his condition further while also saying Martinez is calm but admitted he might miss United’s next fixture against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday.
“We have seen Licha Martinez drop out after a moment,” Ten Hag said on MUTV.
“There was no opponent involved so it doesn’t look that great but we have to wait. The medical staff have to do their job, to give the right diagnosis.
“I cannot tell what it is, but is not an Achilles. I have spoken with him and he is okay and he is calm.
“I think [it is] an injury [that means] he will not play on Sunday. I cannot say what the diagnosis [is]. I prefer to wait and to know what it is.”
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Speaking on Varane’s condition, Ten Hag said: “That injury, he complained [about it] over the last couple of weeks and we have to see how it is now.”
Martinez and Varane’s absence could be a huge blow as United try to navigate their way in the return leg at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan next week. It will also be a blow to their Premier League top four hopes and hopes of winning the FA Cup should they be out for an extended period.
The duo’s fitness adds to a mounting injury list for Ten Hag as the season reaches its business end. The players out include Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw, Alejandro Garnacho, Tom Heaton and Donny van de Beek.
