Manchester United have been dealt an injury scare after defender Lisandro Martinez was forced off during Argentina’s World Cup final against Spain at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
According to the Evening Standard, Martinez was substituted in the 73rd minute after struggling with an injury sustained during the first half of Sunday’s final. The centre-back had earlier received a yellow card for a challenge from behind on Spain forward Mikel Oyarzabal before later going down and appearing unable to continue.
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni introduced Nicolas Otamendi after goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez alerted the bench that the defender could not carry on.
The injury raises concerns for Manchester United ahead of the new season under newly appointed permanent manager Michael Carrick, who guided the club to a third-place finish and its first UEFA Champions League qualification since 2023 after replacing Ruben Amorim earlier this year.
United have strengthened their squad with the arrivals of Youri Tielemans, Karl Darlow and Andrey Santos, but another injury to Martinez—who only recently returned from an ACL tear—could leave Carrick short of defensive options. Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro and left-footed Ayden Heaven are the club’s remaining senior central defensive choices, while Matthijs de Ligt has also faced injury issues.
Martinez’s injury has not yet been officially assessed.
