Manchester United injury updates and return dates for Martinez, Varane, and Rashford

Manchester United were dealt a double defensive injury blow tonight as they surrendered a two-goal lead to Sevilla.

Tyrell Malacia and Harry Maguire scored late own goals to give United a fighting chance of reaching the Europa League semi-finals in Spain next week.

The more serious concern was an emotional Lisandro Martinez leaving on a stretcher, while his central defensive partner Raphael Varane was forced off earlier.

Erik ten Hag now faces significant problems ahead of Sunday’s trip to Nottingham Forest and the rest of the season.

Martinez had no opponent involved, so it doesn’t look good.’ Ten Hag explained. ‘But we’ll have to wait and see,’ says Varane. It wasn’t the Achilles’ heel. I’m not sure which area. I am unable to provide a diagnosis.

‘We’re in three competitions, and you need the squad. If he is not available, others must do it. Maguire came in on Saturday and played well; he did the same tonight. With Maguire, [Victor] Lindelof, and [Luke] Shaw, we have excellent replacements.’

Ten Hag was left to defend his substitutions, which included taking off Anthony Martial, Bruno Fernandes, and Antony before United fell behind.

‘I had no choice but to make them,’ he added. ‘There was no other option. The referee warned me about the second booking with Bruno, and the same with Antony. I had no other option.

‘We needed to score a third goal. Everything was working against us in the final ten minutes. With the first, we switched off. Then there was the injury. Both goals were extremely unlucky. What are your options? You can have bad days and bad luck. It just wasn’t our night.’

Fernandes’ caution means he will now miss the second leg due to suspension, though Ten Hag did not rule out Marcus Rashford returning from a groin injury in a surprisingly quick fashion.

Marcel Sabitzer, who scored both of United’s early goals, called Sevilla’s defending “stupid” and questioned the team’s mentality.

‘I’m having trouble finding the right words,’ Sabitzer admitted. ‘It was like being on a rollercoaster. We had to finish the game, and in the end it was a draw, which was not what we wanted.

‘We had opportunities. We dominated the game, but we gave up too many easy goals. We cannot concede such goals, and we are extremely disappointed.

‘In a competition like this, you must remain focused until the end. The last few minutes were strange. Two stupid objectives. That was not our intention. When you’re up 2-0 at home, you’ve got to get it done.’