Lisandro Martinez is set to be ruled out for at least six weeks (Picture: Getty)
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag insists he has several ‘options’ over how to replace Lisandro Martinez in the starting XI following his new injury.
Martinez was forced off in the second half of United’s 3-0 victory over West Ham at Old Trafford on Sunday after landing awkwardly during a challenge for the ball with Vladimir Coufal.
The Argentina international centre-back had only recently returned in January from a foot injury which had kept him out for four months and he is now set to be ruled out for another six to eight weeks.
But Ten Hag is full prepared to be without the 26-year-old as he told a press conference on Thursday: ‘It is a setback of course.
‘Licha was returning, you see his contribution to the team when he is playing, apart from the technical skills also the mentality.
‘It is a big setback for Licha, he is very disappointed but he is a fighter. He will be back stronger and will play by the end of the season.
‘As a a squad we have to replace him and we have players who can play there and will play there.
Lisandro Martinez landed awkwardly in the win over West Ham (Picture: AP)
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‘We have options over how to deal with that position. We have good centre halves in our squad so the others are available, Luke [Shaw] can play also there.
‘I’m quite confident we can keep the process going so others can fulfil the position and also contribute playing in high levels. Those players are experienced. That is an advantage that we have seen [left-footed player in that role]. We have to work on players.
‘They can also develop in such positions when you work with them and coach with them and train them. I see our players in the back line developing their skills when building up.’
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