Lisandro Martinez spotted in Man United training yesterday as Club doctor confirmed Him fit to start against Lyon

Manchester United have officially announced that Lisandro Martínez has suffered a cruciate ligament injury during their 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday, sidelining the Argentine defender until next season. The injury occurred in the 82nd minute, with Martínez requiring on-pitch treatment before being stretchered off. According to the club, the extent of the injury is still being assessed to determine the best treatment and recovery timeline. They expressed their full support for Martínez, wishing him a strong and successful recovery.

This latest setback comes nearly a year after Martínez injured his medial collateral ligament during a match against West Ham at Old Trafford on February 4. He had only just returned from that issue for the 1-1 draw against Brentford on March 30, but a calf problem soon followed, keeping him out for another six weeks.

Manager Rúben Amorim acknowledged that Martínez’s recovery will be lengthy and didn’t hide his concern over the growing list of defensive setbacks. He also noted that Luke Shaw is dealing with a new issue, unrelated to his previous injury, and that the club must be cautious with his condition. Amorim admitted that the lack of reinforcements during the January transfer window may draw criticism if the team’s performances fail to improve. Still, he emphasized his confidence in the long-term vision for the squad, even if the short-term risks are high.

This latest blow could not come at a worse time for Manchester United, who are already battling inconsistency in a turbulent season. Martínez’s injury strips the team of one of its most influential leaders, compounding the mounting pressure on Amorim. As defensive woes continue to mount, perhaps United should now prioritize bringing in another centre-back during the summer window. Players like Matthijs de Ligt or Jarrad Branthwaite might become crucial targets in the wake of this unfortunate development.