Manchester United issue Lisandro Martinez injury statement

Lisandro Martinez was carried off in the 80th minute of Man United's 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Manchester United have confirmed that Lisandro Martinez has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament.

Martinez was carried off on a stretcher in tears after an innocuous tangle with the Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr in the 82nd minute of United's 2-0 Premier League defeat at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The MEN reported on Monday dressing room sources feared Martinez would be out for at least the remainder of the season and reports later emerged in the Argentine's homeland that he had suffered a cruciate ligament injury.

In a statement, United said: Manchester United can confirm that Lisandro Martinez suffered an injury to his cruciate ligament in Sunday’s game against Crystal Palace.

"Assessment of the injury is ongoing to determine the appropriate course of treatment and the timescale for his rehabilitation.

"Everyone at Manchester United wishes Lisandro Martinez strength for a successful recovery and we will be supporting him every step of the way."

Martinez has suffered a number of significant injuries since he joined United from Ajax in July 2022. The 27-year-old missed the final six weeks of the 2022-23 season with a fractured metatarsal and he required corrective surgery in September 2023 that kept him out for four months.

The World Cup winner was out for eight weeks in February and March last year with a medial collateral ligament injury before a six-and-a-half-week lay-off with a calf problem.

With Martinez out until next season, United have six specialist centre backs following the signing of 18-year-old Ayden Heaven from Arsenal. Noussair Mazraoui has also played in Amorim's back three this season and Casemiro was deployed at centre back seven times last term.