Erik ten Hag delivers pessimistic Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro injury update

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has admitted that it could be "weeks" before Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro return to action.

Both players have recently been back in full training with the 20-time English champions, and Ten Hag has said on a number of occasions over the last few weeks that the duo would be available for selection in January.

There have been claims that the pair could return against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on January 14, but Man United's head coach has conceded that it could be "weeks" before they are able to feature, with a strict recovery process needing to be followed.

"They are a long time already back on the grass and now they return back into team training," Ten Hag told reporters during his press conference to preview Monday's FA Cup clash with Wigan Athletic.

"But not fully so partial. Now they have to make the next steps and that may take some days, I think even weeks."

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Martinez was forced to undergo a second operation on a fractured metatarsal earlier this season, with the initial procedure that took place in April unable to fully address the issue.

The Argentina international was able to feature in the early stages of the 2023-24 campaign, but having suffered with pain in the same area, it was decided that further surgery would be required.

The World Cup winner's last outing was against Brighton & Hove Albion in the middle of September, while Casemiro has not been involved since the start of November.

The Brazil captain recovered from a muscular issue to return against Newcastle United in the EFL Cup on November 1, but he was taken off at the interval of that match.

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A hamstring problem has seen him miss the team's last 15 games in all competitions, while he has not played in the Premier League since the start of October against Brentford.

Providing that Man United beat Wigan in the third round of the FA Cup on Monday evening, they will play again in the competition towards the end of January.

However, if neither Casemiro nor Martinez are involved against Spurs, the pair would have to wait until the start of February to make their Premier League returns.

There has been speculation surrounding Casemiro's future in recent weeks, with a number of clubs from Saudi Arabia believed to be keen on his signature.

However, the 31-year-old, who has scored four times and registered one assist in 12 appearances at club level this season, will remain with the Red Devils until at least the end of the campaign.