Manchester United suffer double injury blow as duo are ruled out for a month

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 02 April 2024

Man United suffer double injury blow as duo are ruled out for a month

Manchester United reveal that central defenders Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez will both be out of action "for at least a month".

Manchester United have revealed that central defenders Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez will be out of action "for at least a month".

Lindelof was replaced in the second half of Saturday's 1-1 draw with Brentford after picking up a hamstring problem, and the Sweden international will now not be back on the field until May.

Man United have also suffered more bad news when it comes to Martinez, with the Argentina international picking up a calf strain during a training session.

"Manchester United centre-backs Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez will be out of action for at least a month due to muscle injuries," read a statement on the club's official website.

"Sweden captain Lindelof was withdrawn during the second half of last Saturday's Premier League game against Brentford with a hamstring problem.

Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez with manager Erik ten Hag after sustaining an injury on February 4, 2024 © Reuters

Martinez's injury problems continue

"Victor was replaced by Martinez after 69 minutes, as the Argentina international made his first appearance since early February. Unfortunately, Licha has now sustained a calf strain in training and is unavailable for the next few games."

Martinez made his 11th appearance of the season against Brentford, having worked his way back from a knee problem which he suffered against West Ham United at the start of February.

However, the 26-year-old is now facing more time on the sidelines, with the defender having a nightmare 12 months in terms of fitness problems.

Martinez underwent an operation last April to fix the fractured metatarsal that he suffered against Sevilla in the Europa League, but he was present for the start of pre-season training.

Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez in action with Bayern Munich's Serge Gnabry on September 20, 2023 © Reuters

Martinez, Lindelof hopeful of being back before the end of the season

The Argentine suffered with pain in the same area in the early stages of this season, though, with scans revealing that the injury had not fully healed, which led to more surgery and another lengthy recovery period.

Man United will take on Chelsea, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Sheffield United and Burnley in their next five Premier League matches, and the defensive duo are set to be absent for all of those matches.

Meanwhile, the pair will be missing for the FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City at Wembley on April 21.

However, they could potentially return for the team's final three league games of the season against Crystal Palace, Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion, in addition to the FA Cup final, should Man United make it.

Raphael Varane was substituted at the interval of the clash with Brentford last time out due to a fitness scare but is set to be fit for the visit to Chelsea on Thursday, and he is likely to be joined by fit-again Harry Maguire in the middle of the defence.