JAKARTA - Manchester United (MU) manager Erik ten Hag gave sad news. He confirmed that Leandro Martinez would undergo surgery to recover his metatarsal injury.
As previously reported, the Argentine is predicted to be absent for up to four months.
Licha suffered this injury, Lisandro Martinez's nickname, while defending Manchester United in the first leg of the 2022/2023 Europa League quarter-final against Sevilla with a final score of 2-2, last April.
Licha then missed the remainder of last season's game and then returned this season by appearing as a starter in four Premier League games before experiencing similar problems again when Arsenal met in the Premier League (1-3) early last September.
"I can confirm it, yes, Licha Martinez has to undergo surgery," said Ten Hag, quoted by Antara.
"It was really sad and disappointing news. He had to go through the same process and I really felt sorry for him," he added.
The 25-year-old footballer then started in the next two Red Devils matches, against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League (1-3) and against Bayern Munich in the Champions League (3-4).
However, in those two matches, Licha again felt his discomfort with his metatarsal injury which had not yet fully recovered.
As a result, the 1.75 meter high defender missed the next three matches of the Reds Devils when he met Burnley in the Premier League (1-0) and Crystal Palace in the League Cup (3-0) and Premier League (0-1).
"He has to be strong. He will fight back, I'm sure. He has a character," said Ten Hag.
With Licha getting on the operating table, this adds to the list of MU defenders who suffered injuries after previously four defenders were sidelined, namelyatur Malacia, Sergio Reguilon, Luke Shaw, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
"There is still a long season ahead and he will be fit. We have to do our job, put ourselves in the right position, so he can contribute, and add quality, when he returns," concluded the 53-year-old coach.
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