Erik ten Hag confirms Lisandro Martinez to undergo foot surgery

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Erik ten Hag confirms Lisandro Martinez to undergo foot surgery

Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez is set to go undergo surgery on a foot injury.

Man Utd confirmed last week that first-choice defender Martinez was set for an "extended period" on the sidelines after reaggravating an injury suffered at the tail-end of last season during the defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium - playing two games after that despite the ailment.

The Argentine World Cup winner initially fractured his metatarsal during a Europa League quarter-final clash against Sevilla, and was forced to have surgery in order to address the issue.

Reports emerged on Sunday night that Martinez could miss three months of action due to further surgery on the issue, and Ten Hag has now confirmed in his pre-match press conference ahead of Man Utd's UEFA Champions League clash with Galatasaray that another procedure is required.

"I can confirm, yeah. Licha Martinez will have to undergo surgery. That's really sad, disappointing news. He has to go through the same process and I'm really sorry for him," Ten Hag said.

"The squad will miss him. As you know, we have more injuries, so we always have to deal with it as a squad. As a club, we have to deal with injuries. He has to be strong. He will fight back, I'm sure. He is a character.

"There is still a long season ahead and he will be fit. We have to do our job, to get ourselves in the right position, so he can contribute, and add quality, when he returns."

Martinez's injury is one of the many Ten Hag has had to deal with during the opening weeks of the 2023/24 season.

Defenders Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Luke Shaw, Sergio Reguilon, and Tyrell Malacia are all currently out injured, with the manager being forced to utilise new midfield signing Sofyan Amrabat as a left-back in recent games.

Along with defenders being out of action, Ten Hag has also been unable to call upon the services of Mason Mount and Amad Diallo at points this season due to injury.

These injuries have been one of the key reasons for Man Utd's disappointing start to the campaign. The Red Devils suffered their five defeat of the season in all competitions at the weekend, losing 1-0 to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford.