Ruben Amorim said he fears Manchester United defender Lisandro Martínez suffered a “serious” injury after being taken off on a stretcher during Sunday’s 2-0 Premier League defeat against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford.
Argentina international Martínez was substituted in the 82nd minute after lengthy treatment on the pitch following a seemingly innocuous challenge with Palace forward Ismaïla Sarr.
The former Ajax player has suffered two prolonged layoffs since arriving at United in 2022 with metatarsal and knee injuries, and coach Amorim said he now expects Martínez to face another long spell on the sidelines.
“Licha [Martínez] is really important for us, not just as a player, but as a character,” Amorim said. “I think it’s a bad situation. Let’s wait and see with the doctor, but I think it is serious.
“We are going to see in the next days but I think it is a serious situation. He felt it and when you are a player, you know when it is something serious. We are here to help him in this difficult moment like he has helped us.”
United suffered their seventh home Premier League defeat of the season — the same number of home losses as when the club were relegated in 1973-74 — and are now 13th in the table.
Amorim said that the loss against Oliver Glasner’s side was avoidable due to defensive mistakes for both goals.
“It was a hard day for team and fans,” he said. “We lose again and suffer two goals that we can avoid.
“It’s normal for the fans to feel negative, it is a hard season for them but football can change in certain moments. I will prepare the next game and move forward. Better things will come.”
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