Nightmare for Lisandro Martinez! Man Utd defender to undergo surgery on ACL tear and facing eight months out after being stretchered off in tears against Crystal Palace

The centre-back was seen crying as he was stretchered off in the second half of his side's 2-0 loss against Crystal Palace on Sunday and TyCSports reports he has now been diagnosed with a cruciate ligament tear.

Martinez will now have to undergo surgery, the report adds, and will be sidelined for eight months. It is just the latest of several serious injuries he has suffered since joining United. The Argentina international missed the final nine weeks of his debut season at United due to injury and was limited to just 14 games in all competitions last season with a string of issues.

The loss of the 27-year-old, who has played 32 games for United this season, comes as a huge blow for Ruben Amorim amid his team's ongoing struggles in the Premier League. The weekend's defeat leaves the Red Devils 13th in the Premier League table and 12 points away from fourth-placed Manchester City. They are also 12 points from the relegation zone.

As Martinez prepares to undergo surgery and then begin his rehabilitation, United take on Leicester in the FA Cup on Friday, followed by a trip to Tottenham on February 16.