Erik ten Hag provides update on latest Lisandro Martinez’ injury blow

Erik ten Hag says Lisandro Martinez will play again this season after the club established that the injury that forced the Manchester United defender off against West Ham was not an anterior cruciate ligament tear as initially feared.

The manager also explained that Martinez has had a huge impact on the team since his return from a recent long spell out with injury.

A club statement on Monday confirmed that Martinez has sustained an injury to the medical collateral ligament in his knee and is expected to be out for eight weeks.

That means United aim to have Martinez back after next month’s international break, which may result in the World Cup winner missing at least seven games.

Ten Hag spoke to the media this afternoon ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash against Aston Villa. He said (via Manchester Evening News): “It is a setback of course, Licha was returning you see his contribution to the team when he is playing, apart from the technical skills also the mentality. It is a big setback for Licha, he is very disappointed but he is a fighter. He will be back, stronger back and will play by the end of the season. As a squad we have to replace him and we have players who can play there and will play there.”

When it came to additional team news, Ten Hag confirmed Aaron Wan-Bissaka suffered another setback in training this morning, but they are unaware of the diagnosis. Furthermore we’ll have to wait a bit longer to see Mason Mount and Tyrell Malacia return.

Ten Hag added: “Aaron Wan-Bissaka today was training today and then dropped out so I don’t know at the moment where he is, the diagnosis, hopefully not too bad. Mason [Mount] and Ty [Malacia] not ready.”

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