LISANDRO MARTINEZ was in tears after he was carried off the pitch by two Sevilla stars as Manchester United suffered a late collapse against Sevilla.
The Red Devils were cruising to a victory over the Spaniards in the first leg of their Europa League quarter final thanks to Marcel Sabitzer’s first half brace.
But Sevilla grabbed one back in the closing stages as Tyrell Malacia turned a pull back from Jesus Navas’ cross into his own net.
However, more bad news was in store as United suffered a major injury blow when key centre-half Martinez pulled up with nobody near him.
The World Cup winner immediately gripped the back of his ankle despite there being no contact from anyone else.
But before a stretcher could even come on the pitch, his Argentinian compatriots Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel of Sevilla hoisted him up and carried him to the sidelines.
Martinez was then placed on a stretcher and taken back to the dressing-room, forcing United to finish the game with ten men having used all of their substitutes.
And things got even worse for United moments later as another own goal, this time courtesy of Harry Maguire, earned Sevilla a 2-2 draw to take back to Spain.
Asked if Martinez had an Achilles injury, United manager Erik ten Hag said: “No, it is not the area.
“But I can’t tell what it is. But it is not the area of Achilles.
“We have very good replacements with Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw, so we have players who can replace them. But of course, it is a miss.
“I think he will not play on Sunday. It looks like that but I can’t say what is the diagnosis and I prefer to wait and then we are clear and we know exactly what it is.
“I have spoken with him, he is okay, he is calm. Of course and we compete in three competitions and then you need a squad.
“So if Licha Martinez, Rapha Varane are not available on Sunday then others have to do it.
“We have seen on Saturday Harry Maguire played a good game and he came in tonight and also played a good game.
“I have an idea what we can play on Sunday but first we have to see tomorrow and talk with medical, see who came out of the game and then we have a plan and then we will bring a good team on pitch.”
Ten Hag did not rule out the possible return of Marcus Rashford from an apparent groin strain in the return leg: “There is a chance but I can’t confirm it in this moment.”
Martinez’s expected absence will cause another huge headache for boss Ten Hag.
His centre-half partner Raphael Varane came off at half time and was replaced by Maguire after suffering a knock.
And influential midfield maestro Bruno Fernandes will also be missing for next week’s second leg.
He was harshly booked for handball during the first half – leading to a furious reaction from United legends and supporters.
SOURCE: thesun.co.uk
