Argentina boss confirms foot injury for Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 07 September 2023

Argentina boss confirms foot injury for Man United's Martinez

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni says that Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez is still struggling with the foot injury that he picked up against Arsenal on Sunday.

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has revealed that Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez is still struggling with the foot injury that he picked up during last weekend's Premier League clash against Arsenal.

The 25-year-old had to be substituted in the second half of what proved to be a 3-1 loss for the Red Devils.

Martinez was also withdrawn against Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 14 due to a foot issue, which will be concerning for Man United considering that he underwent an operation on a fractured foot earlier this year.

"Licha [Martinez] said he had a problem on his foot. But I'm not sure if it's an injury. We have to wait, we have to see, we have to make the diagnosis," Man United head coach Erik ten Hag told reporters when he was asked about the issue following Sunday's game in North London.

The defender was able to link up with the Argentina squad for their 2026 World Cup qualification matches against Ecuador and Bolivia.

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni pictured on December 9, 2022 © Reuters

However, Argentina's manager has said that Martinez is still struggling with pain in the area.

The centre-back is unlikely to be involved in his country's next game against Ecuador but could potentially feature in the Bolivia contest depending on how the issue develops.

"Licha, as you know, had an issue with his feet," Scaloni told reporters. "By the way, he had surgery a while ago. In the last game he was in pain, went out for precaution.

"They have done studies and he's well. He'll be with us if we want to risk him or not. It's an uncomfortable situation and we have other teammates who can replace him well.

Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez is helped off the pitch by Sevilla's Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel after sustaining an injury on April 13, 2023 © Reuters

"It's not necessary that we risk him. In any case, if he's available, we'll evaluate whether to use him or not. At first, for [the Ecuador] match, it'd be a little rushed, we'll see for the second match."

Man United will now be sweating on Martinez's fitness ahead of their next Premier League game against Brighton & Hove Albion next weekend.

The Red Devils are already without the services of Raphael Varane due to a muscular problem, while Victor Lindelof was forced off against Arsenal through illness.

As a result, Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans finished as the two centre-backs for the visitors, who conceded twice in second-half stoppage time to lose at the Emirates Stadium.

Man United have won two and lost two of their opening four matches of the new Premier League campaign, with a total of six points leaving them down in 11th position in the table.