Manchester United have reportedly suffered an injury blow over their Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez.
Martinez played 90 minutes in United’s 3-0 victory over Leicester City on Sunday and was expected to feature for his country, Argentina, on international duty.
The 26-year-old centre-back has been forced to withdraw from Lionel Scaloni’s squad, though, ahead of two crucial World Cup qualifiers out in South America.
Argentina, who clinched the last World Cup in 2022, face Paraguay on Thursday (11.30pm UK time) before they take on Peru on November 20 (12am UK time).
But Martinez will now play no part in those matches after he suffered a ‘knock’ at Old Trafford before linking up with his nation, according to Argentine reports.
News of Martinez’s knock will come as a concern to United fans given the player’s previous problems with injuries, which limited him to just 14 games last season.
The Red Devils will hope Martinez’s withdrawal is just a precaution, with the defender having featured in 10 of their 11 Premier League matches this term.
Martinez has been tipped to shine under United’s new incoming manager Ruben Amorim, who is expected to use a new-look back three in a tactical shake-up.
‘The options are there for that system,’ former United star Jaap Stam recently told Metro.
‘De Ligt is there, Lisandro Martinez is there, Yoro is there. These are three very good players who can play in that system.’
Despite establishing himself as a key player for United, though, Martinez has not been immune to criticism this term.
Roy Keane slammed Martinez after the 1-1 draw against Chelsea earlier this month.
‘He won’t be happy with Cole Palmer making a fool of him,’ Keane said, before adding that Martinez was lucky to avoid a red card for a nasty tackle.
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