Lisandro Martinez has confirmed his “special” first season with Manchester United has come to a premature end.
The World Cup winner has made an instant impact at Old Trafford following his summer switch from Ajax. But Martinez is now set for a period on the sidelines after suffering a metatarsal injury vs Sevilla in the Europa League.
And the defender has now broken his silence on the injury with an emotional message on his social media: “Not the way I imagined what's been a very special season would end, but sometimes we face obstacles along the way that we have to overcome to make us stronger and we learn from them.
“I know that I'll be back very soon to go for more. In the meantime, I'll continue to support all my team-mates to achieve our objectives.
“The number of messages and support I've received has been amazing, they're giving me strength and encouragement at this moment. Many, many thanks to you all from the bottom of my heart.”
United released a statement on Friday evening confirming the prognosis for Martinez, who has quickly become a fan favourite at Old Trafford. "Lisandro Martinez has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after fracturing a metatarsal bone in his foot," United said.
"However, the Argentinian defender is expected to make a full recovery in time to be ready for the start of next season."
Along with Martinez, Raphael Varane has also suffered an injury, meaning the Red Devils will turn to Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof in a season-defining week. United face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday, before the return leg with Sevilla and then an FA Cup semi final with Brighton.
And Ten Hag has warned he won’t accept any excuses from players not ready to step into the line-up and perform straight away. “We have a squad - we have more than 11 starters - so now others are on and, when their time is there, you have to show and contribute to the team, you have to be ready. That is what we expect and that is what we demand.
“If you find excuses, if you want to find excuses, you have to look for another club. When the moment is there you have to contribute and that is what we demand. We have to adapt in the squad, we have to use the squad, that is also what we did against Sevilla.
“You need a tactical approach to win the games. We have good players, but we have injuries, suspensions, so we adapt to the squad.”
The United boss was then asked about Maguire and Lindelof specifically and how much trust he has in the pairing his predecessors so often deployed. “A lot. They are decent centre-halves, they proved that in the past. This season, we have four or five very good centre-halves who can do the job.+
“Harry played very well against Everton, played very well against Sevilla and in the coming games it's up to him. But we do have to take in mind he's suspended for the FA Cup semi-final against Brighton.”
