Lisandro Martinez to miss rest of the season with fractured metatarsal

Lisandro Martinez will have surgery on his right metatarsal and miss the rest of Manchester United’s season after suffering the foot injury during the Europa League quarter-final first leg with Sevilla on Thursday night.

The 25-year-old centre-back fell to the floor clutching his right foot and had to be carried off the pitch by Sevilla players in the 86th minute of the 2-2 draw at Old Trafford, eventually leaving on a stretcher.

Fellow defender Raphael Varane was also forced off with a foot injury in the game, and that injury is still being assessed. There are concerns his campaign could also be over but the club retain a strong hope that does not prove to be the case.

The club later confirmed the news in a statement on Friday evening.

“Lisandro Martinez has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after fracturing a metatarsal bone in his foot,” it read. “However, the Argentinian defender is expected to make a full recovery in time to be ready for the start of next season.

“Martinez sustained the injury in the 86th minute of Thursday night’s 2-2 draw with Sevilla in the quarter-final of the UEFA Europa League.

“Lisandro’s defensive partner Raphael Varane was also substituted with an injury at half-time in the same game and is expected to be out for a few weeks.”

Since joining from Ajax last summer, Martinez has been a standout performer for the club, developing an effective partnership with Varane at the heart of the United defence.

The defender, who was as important member of the Argentina squad that won the World Cup in Qatar last winter, has made 45 appearances in all competitions, including 27 in the Premier League scoring one goal.

Manchester United are next in action against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Sunday.

(Photo: Getty Images)