Manchester United defensive duo Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof have been ruled out of action for a month.
This double whammy is another bitter setback for Erik ten Hag, who has been dealing with huge injury problems all season.
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And particularly to Martinez, who United are desperate to build their defense around, but he simply can’t stay fit after recently returning to training.
The Argentina international was just returning from injury when he injured his calf in training and now faces being out for a further month.
The World Cup winner had spent seven weeks in the physio room and Ten Hag hoped he would be fit enough to start the trip to Chelsea on Thursday evening, live on talkSPORT 2.
Lindelof, who has also had numerous injury problems this season, joins Martinez on the sidelines.
The Sweden international injured his hamstring against Brentford on Saturday in a 1-1 draw and will also spend a month out of action.
Martinez replaced the 29-year-old with 20 minutes remaining against the Bees.
In a statement on its website, United wrote: “Manchester United central defenders Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez will be out for at least a month due to muscle injuries.
“Sweden captain Lindelof was withdrawn during the second half of last Saturday’s Premier League match against Brentford due to a hamstring problem.
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“Victor was replaced by Martinez after 69 minutes, as the Argentina international made his first appearance since the start of February.
“Unfortunately, Licha is suffering from a calf strain in training and is not available for the upcoming matches.”
Ten Hag are already without left-backs Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia and will face another makeshift defense on Thursday night.
With a month’s absence for Martinez and Lindelof underway, it remains to be seen whether they will be fit enough for the end of the season.
Both men are expected to miss five Premier League matches, including against Chelsea, as well as the United FA Cup semi-final against Coventry on April 21.
The Red Devils are currently sixth in the Premier League and find themselves 11 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.
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