Ten Hag names three Martinez replacements after Man Utd draw

Erik ten Hag reviews Man Utd's draw with Sevilla

Lisandro Martinez’s first season at Manchester United could be over earlier than expected. The Argentina international was stretchered off in the closing stages of his side’s 2-2 Europa League draw with Sevilla. And Erik ten Hag has now opened up on three potential replacements for the 25-year-old.

Martinez went down unchallenged towards the end of normal time, with United then collapsing late on as they threw away a 2-0 lead.

And he was emotional as he was carried off the field of play, with the Argentina intentional apparently fearing the worst.

After the game, Ten Hag admitted the 25-year-old’s situation ‘doesn’t look great’, though did insist his star performer hadn’t injured his achilles.

“We have seen Licha Martinez drop out after a moment,” said the Dutchman.

“There was no opponent involved so it doesn’t look that great so we have to wait.

“I can’t say in this moment [what it is], the same as Rapha [Varane]. I think it is for after the game, but that injury, he [has] complained [about] over the last couple of weeks and we have to see how it is now.”

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And Ten Hag believes the likes of Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw can all come into the team should Martinez face a period out of the spotlight.

“We have very good replacements,” he added.

“Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw. We have the players who can replace them. But of course, it is a miss.

“We are competing in three competitions and then you need the squad.

“And if Licha Martinez and Rapha Varane are not available on Sunday, then others have to do it.

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“And we have seen on Saturday, Harry Maguire had a good game. And tonight he came in and I think he played also a very good game.”

Ten Hag also revealed he’d spoken to Martinez, insisting the defender was ‘calm’ rather than distressed in the dressing room after the game.

“I have spoken with him and he is okay and he is calm,” he stated.

“I think [it is] an injury [that means] he will not play on Sunday. I cannot say what the diagnosis [is]. I prefer to wait and to know what it is.”

Maguire looks like the favourite to come into the side, with the United star earning praise from his manager for his recent performances.

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Lindelof is also a handy option to have, with the Sweden international experienced having been at the club ever since 2017.

And Shaw has done well at centre-back at times this season, despite being a left-back by trade.

While United were disappointed with the draw, Sevilla boss Jose Luis Mendilibar praised his team for their fighting spirit.

“The first half hour was a tough period, but then we recomposed ourselves,” he said.

“We didn’t throw the game away and we never gave up. Everyone respects Sevilla in this competition.”

United are next in action against Nottingham Forest on Sunday (4.30pm).

And they’ll be hoping for a fourth win of the season over Steve Cooper’s side when the match at the City Ground takes place.

United won 3-0 in the Premier League back in December before beating Forest by the same scoreline in the Carabao Cup.

And they also battled their way to a 2-0 win in the second leg of that cup tie in February, too.

As for Sevilla, they’re due to face off against Valencia on Sunday (8pm).

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