‘Be patient’ - Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez gives injury update

Lisandro Martinez says he is having to be patient in his recovery from his metatarsal injury after suffering the issue for a second time in five months.

The defender first sustained a fracture back in April but managed to return in time for the start of pre-season. The problem re-emerged in September's 3-1 defeat to Arsenal, yet he battled through matches against Brighton and Bayern Munich before being ruled out.

Martinez needed a second round of surgery and could be out until the new year. United’s defensive frailties this season were present before his latest setback but his presence is undoubtedly a miss.

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The World Cup winner has been taking time out in native Argentina and attended a domestic football match at former club Defensa y Justicia on Wednesday. He was asked about his road to recovery when speaking to TNT Sports Argentina after full-time.

Martinez said: “I am in the process of recovery and happy to be here visiting the club. It is the second time that an injury like this has happened to me. So, you have to be patient.”

In his wake, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans have all been used alongside Raphael Varane, who did not feature in the last two United matches. Erik ten Hag said the Frenchman was left out for “tactical” reasons in the Manchester derby and missed the League Cup defeat to Newcastle on Wednesday through illness.

United have had 17 first-team players injured at some point since the start of pre-season, many of them in defence. A number are now making their way back, though.

Sergio Reguilon has returned while Aaron Wan-Bissaka played against Newcastle, his first minutes