Manchester United fans received the dreaded confirmation on Friday that Lisandro Martinez will miss the rest of the season after fracturing a metatarsal bone in his foot against Sevilla.
The Argentine's injury was a concern from the moment it happened, a collapse under no pressure while turning. His compatriots from the visiting side carried him off the pitch where a stretcher was at the ready.
Erik ten Hag confirmed shortly after the final whistle that it wasn't an Achilles rupture, as was first feared. And while the recovery time from a broken metatarsal is far less in comparison, it still rules Martinez out for what will be a crucial six-weeks between now and the end of the season.
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United crumbled in the closing stages on Thursday, a lack of experience in managing games the cause of a back-four that switched off. Tyrell Malacia let Jesus Navas in without a challenge, before Youssef En-Nesyri's header cannoned off the unfortunate Harry Maguire.
Malacia in particular will have infuriated Ten Hag, allowing a runner to glide in on goal before eventually turning the effort into his own net - a goal that boosted Sevilla and made the Reds only more nervy. The young Dutchman has been a fine addition, but in his debut season of Premier League football and at just 23-years-old, has needed a steady head in the centre-back role inside him. Unfortunately at the moment, neither Maguire nor Victor Lindelof can offer that, given neither have been regular features.
The return to fitness of Luke Shaw could well be crucial in allowing United to settle back into their rhythm. The 27-year-old was forced off in his side's 1-0 win over Brentford earlier this month, missing the games against Everton and Sevilla . Ten Hag hinted that this afternoon's trip to Nottingham Forest could signal a return.
United can firmly cement their place in the top four with a win at the City Ground, following defeats for both Newcastle and Tottenham yesterday. Three points will take Ten Hag's men onto 59, three above both with a game in hand over the north London side.
Forest's danger will come almost exclusively down their right, Steve Cooper's plan for survival looking increasingly dependant on the influence of Brennan Johnson. The struggling side's other influence, Morgan Gibbs-White, often gravitates towards the Welshman down that side.
How United manage that side will be crucial in how they can silence a fervent City Ground support and ultimately go on to collect the points.
And Thursday in Sevilla, will be a testing occasion and the atmosphere at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjaun will be fiery, calling for as many experienced heads as Ten Hag can manage.
Shaw has proven reliable throughout this season and he may be needed more than ever.
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