Lisandro Martinez's season is over! Man Utd confirm defender has suffered ACL injury and will begin rehabilitation with fears Ruben Amorim may be without star until 2026

Martinez, 27, was stretchered off in the latter stages of Sunday’s Premier League clash against Crystal Palace which ended in a 2-0 loss for the Red Devils. Amorim, speaking after the match, acknowledged the gravity of the situation, describing it as a “serious situation.”

On Thursday, the club officially confirmed the nature of the injury in a statement which read: "Assessment of the injury is ongoing to determine the appropriate course of treatment and the timescale for his rehabilitation. Everyone at Manchester United wishes Lisandro Martinez strength for a successful recovery and we will be supporting him every step of the way."

Martinez’s absence represents a significant setback for Amorim as he looks to guide United out of their current slump in the Premier League. His leadership on the field and defensive capabilities have made him a key figure in the squad, and losing him at this stage of the season leaves United with limited options at the back.

In addition to Martinez’s setback, United are also facing renewed concerns over Luke Shaw’s fitness. The left-back, who has been struggling with injuries for an extended period, has not started a match for the club in almost a year. His prolonged absence has left United short of options in defence, further compounding the team’s issues.

United’s defeat to Crystal Palace marked yet another disappointing result in what has been an underwhelming campaign so far. They currently sit 13th in the Premier League table, and the loss to Palace was their seventh defeat in 13 home games this season - a worrying statistic for a club of their stature.

With Martinez ruled out and Shaw’s return still uncertain, Amorim will need to reshuffle his defensive setup. The addition of Patrick Dorgu is a major boost, and the Portuguese manager will likely hand him a debut when United take on Leicester City in the FA Cup fourth round at Old Trafford this Friday.