Manchester United have been hit by a double defensive injury blow after Lisandro Martinez was ruled out for the rest of the season and Raphael Varane sidelined for the next few weeks. Both players were hurt in Thursday's 2-2 draw against Sevilla in the Europa League quarter-final first leg at Old Trafford, in which United conceded two late own goals. Martinez, who won the World Cup with Argentina in December, pulled up in pain gripping his right ankle late in the match and was taken away on a stretcher.

United had already lost fellow first-choice centre-back Varane to injury at half-time and his replacement Harry Maguire scored an own goal in stoppage time. Manager Erik ten Hag was unable to provide an update when he faced the media at lunchtime on Friday but the club later confirmed the severity the injuries. "Lisandro Martinez has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after fracturing a metatarsal bone in his foot," United said in a statement. "However, the Argentinian defender is expected to make a full recovery in time to be ready for the start of next season."

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-INP