Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
Lithuania
Montenegro
Nigeria
North Macedonia
United Arab Emirates

Erik ten Hag provides Lisandro Martinez update after injury scare

sportsmole.co.uk, 2 February 2024, 17:30
Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has played down fears that Lisandro Martinez suffered a recurrence of a foot injury during Thursday's Premier League clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Martinez was substituted in the latter stages of the contest at Molineux, and he had a heavy strapping and ice on the same foot which has undergone two operations over the last year.

The Argentina international initially suffered a fractured metatarsal last April, which led to him undergoing an operation, and he then needed more surgery towards the start of this season, as scans revealed that the bone had not fully healed, leading to more pain in the area.

Martinez made his return as a substitute against Tottenham Hotspur on January 14 before starting against Newport County and Wolves, but there were fears over his fitness when he was pictured undergoing treatment on the bench in the latter stages of the game at Molineux.

Ten Hag has said that his withdrawal in the 4-3 victory was "a precaution", suggesting that the 25-year-old will be fit for Sunday's Premier League clash with West Ham United.

"It was a precaution. I took him off because, actually I had to sub Rasmus [Hojlund] because he was dead with all his running! But then we needed an extra header but, also for Licha, I think he is a long way out," Ten Hag told reporters during his press conference.

"We brought Harry [Maguire] on for [an] extra header and Omari Forson for Rasmus."

Ten Hag also said that Casemiro's booking and his fitness, having only just returned from an injury lay-off, contributed to the Brazilian being substituted in the 73rd minute of Thursday's game.

"Also, he has to catch up as well. And Case, I know, the more games he is going to play, the better he will be. But he needs game minutes and that is why he takes most benefit from [that], at the moment," said the manager.

"Also, with another foul, maybe he [would] be sent off, so I couldn't take the risk."

Ten Hag also confirmed ahead of the West Ham match that Sofyan Amrabat would be back in training on Saturday, with the midfielder's Morocco side eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations by South Africa.

Meanwhile, Victor Lindelof has a chance of returning to the squad on Sunday, but Tyrell Malacia, Mason Mount and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are all set to remain unavailable for selection.

"Sofyan will return on Saturday in the training. Ty [Tyrell Malacia] and Mason Mount, I don't expect them back, but Victor Lindelof, I think he is on his way back. He trained with the team on Wednesday and we have to see how far he is [along]," added the Dutchman.

"Aaron Wan-Bissaka is also on the way back. He could be available but I don't think he will make it for Sunday. But I'm not sure at this moment. There is a problem in his leg."

Man United's 4-3 success over Wolves moved them onto 35 points in the Premier League table, which has left them in seventh position, one point behind sixth-placed West Ham.

Show more

Top News

26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Premier League stars Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister got on the scoresheet as Argentina celebrated their World Cup qualification with a dominant 4-1 victory over rivals Brazil. 26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has reportedly attracted interest from Eintracht Frankfurt over a potential summer move. 26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea Women and Manchester City Women will complete their quadruple header when they face off in Thursday's Women's Champions League quarter-final second leg. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Highly-sought-after Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres has reportedly ruled out a possible move to Nottingham Forest this summer. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk On Thursday, Barcelona Women will face Wolfsburg Women in the second leg of the Women's Champions League quarter-final tie. 25 March 2025 talksport.com There may be a sky full of stars at Wembley in September, but there will be a pitch full of stars two hours north. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Real Madrid will be a force to be reckoned with next season. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez will be fit for Thursday's rescheduled La Liga clash against Osasuna, although Pau Cubarsi faces a battle to prove his fitness in time for the home fixture. 25 March 2025 talksport.com talkSPORT host Andy Goldstein could barely conceal his shock following a rather bold claim from co-host Darren Bent. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Southampton's Tyler Dibling could be at the centre of a transfer battle in the summer following reports that RB Leipzig have contacted the player's camp. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona will return to La Liga action for Thursday's rearranged meeting with Osasuna at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany has encouraged the Citizens to prioritise signing at least two "technically brilliant" midfielders in the summer transfer window. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Trent Alexander-Arnold is certainly not the first and won't be the last player to depart his boyhood club. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Contrary to rumours earlier this week, Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite has not stated he is unsettled at the club, according to a new report. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Chelsea are set to come up against a former player at this summer's World Cup who has a staggering trophy record as a coach. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Alisha Lehmann claims that online abuse remains an issue despite her ever-growing popularity. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Ally McCoist has omitted two of the Premier League's most celebrated stars from his all-time top three attackers from the division. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Mohamed Salah undisputedly has a greater Premier League legacy than Cristiano Ronaldo, Reds expert David Lynch has argued. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly contacted Olympiacos over potentially signing their teenage sensation Charalampos Kostoulas. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Liverpool star Mohamed Salah is not in active talks over a move to Saudi Arabia, talkSPORT understands. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal are reportedly prepared to enter talks with Gabriel Magalhaes over a new contract at the Emirates. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Kevin De Bruyne and Vinicius Jr are among SIX marquee signings being plotted by the Saudi Pro League this summer, talkSPORT understands. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Stan Collymore has issued a passionate defence of Trent Alexander-Arnold amid fan backlash over his move to Real Madrid. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United forward Jadon Sancho is reportedly dreaming of a move to Borussia Dortmund over the summer. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Following the path that Michael Owen and Steve McManaman once ventured down, Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has reportedly been unable to resist the bright lights of the Bernabeu. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona have reportedly entered talks with the representatives of Atalanta BC attacker Ademola Lookman. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Jack Grealish can rediscover his best form at one specific Premier League club if he leaves Manchester City this summer. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal expert Charles Watts has conceded that Riccardo Calafiori may be "susceptible" to frequent injuries following his latest blow on international duty with Italy. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Former England manager Glenn Hoddle was impressed by Morgan Rogers' 'wonderful' performance against Latvia. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Mark Clattenburg has opened up on the explosive interactions he shared with some of the Premier League's most iconic managers.