Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez was carried off the field in tears after suffering what appeared to be a serious knee injury in the Premier League defeat against Crystal Palace.
Martinez, who has already suffered two serious injuries in each of his previous seasons with United, needed more than five minutes of treatment after collapsing on the Old Trafford pitch.
The Argentina defender appeared to jar his left knee as he stretched out for the ball under pressure from Ismaila Sarr, although the Palace forward did not seem at fault for the awkward landing.
Concerns were quickly raised by the level of pain Martinez was in, with United’s medical staff quickly rushing on to his aid. He was given oxygen by paramedics who were also required to assist the stricken centre-back, before being carried off the pitch and replaced by Matthijs de Ligt.
Martinez in tears
TV cameras captured an outpouring of emotion from Martinez, who left the field with his hand across his head and visibly in tears.
United were already trailing to a goal from Jean-Philippe Mateta at the time of Martinez’s injury, with the Palace forward then doubling his tally to secure a 2-0 away victory.
Should his worst fears be confirmed with a serious injury, it would be the third time that Martinez has been sidelined for a lengthy period of time.
The 27-year-old suffered a broken metatarsal in his foot that ruled him out of the final six weeks of the 2022-23 season, while a medial collateral ligament injury 12 months ago ruled him out for the final three months of 2024.
