Pranav Kannan
Erik ten Hag brings up ‘grey area’ discussion following Manchester United star Lisandro Martinez injury
Speaking in the press-conferences as quoted by the Guardian, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag quashed claims that Lisandro Martinez might have aggravated his injury by trying to play on against West Ham United.
The Dutch tactician brought up a ‘grey area’ claim saying that how to deal with injuries always has a scope for discussion. He revealed that it is always a very difficult decision to decide on whether or not to allow an injured player to continue playing on.
Lisandro Martinez has had a torrid few months ever since he suffered that fateful injury against Sevilla in the Europa League last season. Since then, the Argentine World Cup winner has twice returned unsuccessfully back to action and is set to spend another couple of months out on the sideline.
Which begs the question: Are Manchester United rushing Lisandro Martinez back into action? When it happens once, you can call it an ‘error’. When it happens for the second time though, serious questions need to be asked of the management.
What this means is that United will have to be without one of their best central defenders for a few more months. Considering Raphael Varane’s injury record as well, the situation doesn’t bode well for Erik ten Hag.
Speaking about Lisandro’s situation, here is what Erik ten Hag had to say,
“I don’t think so but it was Lisandro’s decision and he was comfortable to be back on the pitch but after he tried he stopped in the next attack. It is [almost] impossible [to diagnose injuries]. In some situations it is clear and obvious but there is always a grey area and it is very difficult to see from the sideline”
Just when there was light at the end of the tunnel
Over the past few games, United have looked like a different team. Impressive results have been a consequence of impressive performances on the pitch. Would things change now, following Lisandro Martinez’s injury?
Ideally, they must not. Raphael Varane is fit and ready to go. Harry Maguire, despite having a stinker of a performance against the Hammers has proved to be largely reliable this season. The duo would ideally be Ten Hag’s starting centre-backs in Martinez’s absence.
For Lisandro Martinez though, he would be hoping that the next two months would be the last of this vicious injury ordeal he has had to go through. Most importantly, the club must take no chances with his recovery.
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It doesn’t need a medical professional to tell Man United now that Lisandro Martinez needs to be wrapped in cotton wool and treated carefully. Let’s wait and hope that we get our talented centre-back fit and firing soon. Only time will tell us how this goes.
