Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, has dismissed the possibility of centre-back Lisandro Martinez having an Achilles injury.
Manchester United suffered a double injury blow during their Europa League quarterfinal first-leg clash against Sevilla on Thursday night. Defender Lisandro Martinez collapsed to the turf with nobody around him and was immediately substituted.
There were fears that he had suffered an Achilles injury which could have potentially ruled him out until 2024. However, United manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed that it is not an Achilles problem, although the extent of the injury is still unknown.
“I cannot tell what it is but it is not Achilles,” the Dutch manager said after the game. “No, that is not the area.”
Ten Hag was also sweating over the fitness of another starting centre-back, Raphael Varane, who was withdrawn at half-time due to an injury concern. The Frenchman has been complaining of discomfort over the last couple of weeks, and Ten Hag admitted that they will have to assess the extent of his injury after the game.
“I think it is for after the game, but that injury, he [has] complained [about] over the last couple of weeks and we have to see how it is now,” Ten Hag added on the Frenchman.
Manchester United will be hoping to get both defenders back as soon as possible as they prepare for the second leg against Sevilla and their Premier League run-in.