Lisandro Martinez, the defender for Manchester United, is likely to miss the remainder of the season following a serious cruciate ligament injury sustained during the team's recent 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace. The injury occurred late in the match, and Martinez was visibly emotional as he was carried off the pitch on a stretcher. Initial assessments have confirmed that he has suffered damage to his cruciate ligament, although the specifics of the injury are still being evaluated.

The 27-year-old Argentine's absence is a significant setback for United, currently struggling in 13th place in the Premier League after suffering their 11th league loss of the season. A club statement noted, "Assessment of the injury is ongoing to determine the appropriate course of treatment and the timescale for his rehabilitation." While they have not officially ruled him out for the season, recovery from a cruciate ligament injury typically requires at least six months, indicating that he may not return until next season.

Despite Martinez's injury, Manchester United did not secure additional defensive cover before the January Transfer Window closed. Head coach Ruben Amorim reportedly believes he has sufficient options at center-back, with players like Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, and Matthijs de Ligt available to fill the gap left by Martinez. As the team prepares for upcoming fixtures, including an FA Cup match against Leicester and a Premier League clash with Tottenham, they will need to adapt quickly to overcome the loss of one of their key defenders.