LISANDRO MARTINEZ was in tears after he was carried off the pitch by two Sevilla stars with what could be a nasty looking injury.
Manchester United were cruising to a victory over the Spaniards in the first leg of their Europa League quarter final thanks to Marcel Sabitzer’s first half brace.
ReutersLisandro Martinez looked to be in tears after suffering injury for Man Utd[/caption]
The defender was carried off the pitch by fellow Argentines Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel of SevillaRichard Pelham / The Sun
But Sevilla grabbed one back in the closing stages as Tyrell Malacia turned a pull back from Jesus Navas’ cross into his own net.
However, more bad news was in store as United suffered a major injury blow when key centre-half Martinez pulled up with nobody near him.
The World Cup winner immediately gripped his ankle despite there being no contact from anyone else.
But before a stretcher could even come on the pitch, his Argentinian compatriots Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel of Sevilla hoisted him up and carried him to the sidelines.
Martinez was then placed on a stretcher and taken back to the dressing-room, forcing United to finish the game with ten men having used all of their substitutes.
And things got even worse for United moments later as another own goal, this time courtesy of Harry Maguire, earned Sevilla a 2-2 draw to take back to Spain.
Martinez’s expected absence will cause another huge headache for boss Erik ten Hag.
His centre-half partner Raphael Varane came off at half time and was replaced by Maguire after suffering a knock.
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And influential midfield maestro Bruno Fernandes will also be missing for next week’s second leg.
He was harshly booked for handball during the first half – leading to a furious reaction from United legends and supporters.