Soccer-Ten Hag plays down Martinez injury fears
Ten Hag #TenHag
MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) – Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag tried to stay positive about the injury suffered by defender Lisandro Martinez during the 2-2 Europa League draw with Sevilla on Thursday.
There was speculation Martinez had suffered a serious Achilles injury which would end his season.
“I cannot tell what it is, but is not an Achilles,” the Dutchman told reporters. “I have spoken with him and he is okay and he is calm.”
United were leading 2-0 late in the game at Old Trafford, but had to settle for a 2-2 draw after conceding two own goals.
The draw was not the only disappointment. Martinez joined a list of injured players including striker Marcus Rashford, defender Luke Shaw and Martinez’s fellow centre back Raphael Varane who had to be replaced at halftime against Sevilla.
“We have seen Licha Martinez drop out after a moment,” Ten Hag told MUTV. “There was no opponent involved so it doesn’t look that great but we have to wait. The medical staff have to do their job, to give the right diagnosis.
“I think (it is) an injury (that means) he will not play on Sunday,” Ten Hag added, referring to United’s Premier League game at Nottingham Forest. “I cannot say what the diagnosis (is). I prefer to wait and to know what it is.”
Rashford, who has contributed 28 goals and eight assists this season, is expected to miss a couple of weeks due a groin injury.
United became only the second English side to score two own goals in a single match in a major European competition. Chelsea were the first, in 2019 against Ten Hag’s Ajax Amsterdam.
(Reporting by Lori Ewing, editing by Ed Osmond)