Lisandro Martinez injury 'not an Achilles', says Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag

Defender had to be helped off the pitch by two Sevilla players as United were forced to play out final minutes of 2-2 Europa League draw with 10 men having used all five subs

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 13: Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United goes down with an injury during the UEFA Europa League quarterfinal first leg match between Manchester United and Sevilla FC at Old Trafford on April 13, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill / Getty Images)Show less

Erik ten Hag allayed fears Lisandro Martinez had suffered an Achilles injury during Manchester United's 2-2 Europa League draw with Sevilla on Thursday.

There was speculation the defender had suffered a serious Achilles injury, which would have ended his season, but Ten Hag played down those fears after the game at Old Trafford.

"I cannot tell what it is, but it is not an Achilles," the Dutchman told reporters. "I have spoken with him and he is OK and he is calm."

Martinez had to be helped off the pitch by Sevilla's Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuna, who are his teammates in the Argentina national team, before being carried away on a stretcher.

United played the final minutes with 10 men having used all five substitutes.

It proved costly, as Sevilla scored a late equaliser through a Harry Maguire own goal to keep the quarter-final tie finely poised ahead of next week's return leg in Spain.

Youssef En-Nesyri celebrates after his deflected header earned Sevilla a 2-2 draw against Manchester United in their Europa League quarter-final first leg match at Old Trafford, Manchester. April 13, 2023. PA

Sevilla's Moroccan forward Youssef En-Nesyri heads the ball to score a second goal, deflected in for an own goal off of Manchester United's English defender Harry Maguire, left. AFP

Manchester United's Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea reacts after conceding a second goal. AFP

Manchester United's Harry Maguire looks dejected after scoring an own goal. Reuters

Sevilla's Lucas Ocampos, left, celebrates their side's first goal of the game, an own goal from Manchester United's Tyrell Malacia. AP

Jesus Navas of Sevilla celebrates after an own goal scored by Tyrell Malacia of Manchester United. Getty Images

Manchester United's Antony and Marcel Sabitzer in action with Sevilla's Marcos Acuna. Reuters

Marcao of Sevilla collides with Marcel Sabitzer of Manchester United. Getty Images

Manchester United's Marcel Sabitzer, centre, in action against Sevilla goalkeeper Bono. EPA

Manchester United's Austrian midfielder Marcel Sabitzer celebrates scoring the opening goal. AFP

Manchester United's Marcel Sabitzer his and United's second goal against Sevilla. AP

The draw was not the only disappointment. Martinez joined a list of injured players including striker Marcus Rashford, defender Luke Shaw and Martinez's fellow centre back Raphael Varane who had to be replaced at half time against Sevilla.

"We have seen Licha Martinez drop out after a moment," Ten Hag told MUTV. "There was no opponent involved so it doesn't look that great but we have to wait. The medical staff have to do their job, to give the right diagnosis.

"I think [it is] an injury [that means] he will not play on Sunday," Ten Hag added, referring to United's Premier League game at Nottingham Forest. "I cannot say what the diagnosis [is]. I prefer to wait and to know what it is."

Rashford, who has contributed 28 goals and eight assists this season, is expected to miss a couple of weeks due a groin injury.

United became only the second English side to score two own goals in a single match in a major European competition. Chelsea were the first, in 2019 against Ten Hag's Ajax.

Ratings

MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea - 6. Everything was going so well and United's Spanish goalkeeper could watch on with pride against his compatriots. Then he was beaten by his own men. Twice. Made a couple of key saves to prevent an unlikely defeat. AFP

Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 7. So much more confident going forward than he has been. In-form and continues to combine well with Antony in front. Reuters

Raphael Varane - 7. Coasting against a side who made six changes and were completely outclassed in the first half. Then he went down before half time and went off at the break. Another player who will be sorely missed if he’s absent. AP Photo

Lisandro Martinez - 7. Went off in agony after 86 minutes, carried by his two Argentina teammates from Sevilla, looking like it was a serious injury. A crucial United player, he’ll be missed. Getty Images

Tyrell Malacia - 5. Jesus Navas ran behind him and then the full-back stuck a leg out to try and stop the shot, directing the ball into his own net in the 84th minute. “We switched off,” said his manager. Had a chance himself on 81 minutes. He’s not a striker. AP Photo

Casemiro - 7. Back after serving a suspension for a second sending off and United look so much better for him being in the side. Had three shots, too. Needs to be playing every game between now and the end of the season. Getty Images

Bruno Fernandes - 7. Top ball to set up the first for Sabitzer, who played in Fernandes’ usual role. Booked, harshly, for putting his arm in front of a shot. Will miss the second leg, and that’s a worry given his importance to the team. EPA

Antony - 8. Did so well to twist and turn and hit a shot which struck the Stretford End crossbar. He’s a threat to whoever he comes up against and looks more dangerous by the month. Booked. Getty Images

Marcel Sabitzer - 8. Unplayable for the first 30 minutes when he played in an advanced role again and justified it with two excellent goals, though the first was a deflection. Will be an important player for the second leg in Andalusia. Getty Images

Jadon Sancho - 7. Played well in the first half, when he got in dangerous positions. Less effective in the second. Wasted a chance in front of the Stretford End. Came off in what looked like a sensible substitution. PA

Anthony Martial - 8. Excellent in the first half and set up the second goal with a smart pass to Sabitzer, after he came deep to allow those around him to run forward. Brought off after an hour, with his manager explaining that it was his first start for a while. Everything was looking fine at that point. AFP

Harry Maguire (on for Varane at half time) – 7. Headed the second goal in past his own goalkeeper, a cruel, unfortunate twist. Otherwise played well and was praised by his boss for his performance after the game. Reuters

Christian Eriksen (on for Fernandes after 62’) - 6. United are better for having him back. Comfortable. Reuters

Wout Weghorst (on for Martial after 62’) - 6. Applauded by the Stretford End as he warmed up. Selfless in passing a chance when he could have shot. Worked hard. PA

Anthony Anthony Elanga (on for Sancho after 73’) – N/A. Limited impact. Reuters

Facundo Pellistri (on for Antony after 81’) – N/A. Even at this late point, things were going to plan for United. And then everything changed. Booked. Always looks a danger. Getty Images

SEVILLA RATINGS: Bono – 6. Reprieved inside the first minute when his shanked clearance led to Sancho netting inside 30 seconds, only to be chalked off. Helpless with Sabitzer’s early brace and produced impressive stops from Antony and Fernandes to keep his side in the tie. Reuters

Gonzalo Montiel – 6. Misses the second leg after a needless booking for throwing the ball away – though his frustration likely stemmed from seeing his goal-bound effort blocked by Fernando moments earlier. Battled gamely with Sancho throughout and was his side’s outstanding defender. Reuters

Tanguy Nianzou – 5. Poor judgement from a United clearance played a major role in Sabitzer’s second. Nearly atoned with a powerful header on the stroke of half time, only for De Gea to brilliantly fend it away to safety. PA

Marcao – 5. Had a calm, composed opening 15 minutes before providing the killer deflection to Sabitzer’s opener. Found himself struggling to keep tabs on United’s rotating forward line during the first half and was repeatedly terrorised by the excellent Antony. AFP

Marcos Acuna – 6. Caught lagging as last man for Sabitzer’s two first-half strikes, playing the Austrian onside on both occasions. Fine in possession but further blotted his evening by receiving a caution midway through the second half for fouling Antony and continued his war of words with the Brazilian thereafter. AFP

Fernando – 5. The veteran ex-Manchester City midfielder struggled with the pace of the first period as United’s positional rotations wreaked havoc. Had more influence on proceedings after the break, but still a tough night’s work. Getty Images

Nemanja Gudelj – 5. Like Fernando, found himself bypassed for long periods of play in the first half. Booked for catching Casemiro in the face with an overhead kick. Showed his versatility by seamlessly shifting back into defence for the late stages after Suso’s introduction. AP Photo

Oliver Torres – 4. Ineffectual throughout and found himself isolated as the visitors struggled to put together meaningful forward forays. Given his lack of impact, it was no surprise to see him hooked at the interval. PA

Ivan Rakitic – 6. Picked up a booking for a needless foul on Casemiro early on which compromised his influence. Another who struggled with the pace of the first period, but far more comfortable after the break with more time on the ball. Skewed a half-chance well off-target from distance. PA

Lucas Ocampos – 6. Lively and troublesome at times, was Sevilla’s best outlet going forward in the first half. Did well to rob Malacia on the half-hour but no teammates were alive enough to convert his subsequent cross. Switched to the left flank in the second half and continued to battle gamely, ultimately slinging in the cross for Sevilla’s late leveller. PA

Erik Lamela – 6. The ex-Tottenham forward showed flashes of liveliness in Sevilla’s limited attacks. Survived a VAR check for a clash with Casemiro and instead picked up just a booking for standing on the Brazilian. Getty Images

SUBS: Youssef En-Nesyri (Erik Lamela, 66') – 7. Brought on to bring a more obvious focal point to the visitors’ attack. Allowed Sevilla to establish a foothold in the later stages and almost levelled in injury-time, only to see his header brilliantly pawed away by De Gea, before his header struck Maguire and salvaged parity. PA

Suso (Tanguy Nianzou, 73) – N/A. Scored when these sides last met in 2020, but given little more than 15 minutes this time around. Still found the time to test De Gea with a long-range effort. Getty Images

Jesus Navas - N/A. Pulled a goal back in the 84th minute when his shot pinged off the feet of Tyrell Malacia and keeper De Gea into the net. PA