Martinez sustained an injury during a match against Arsenal at the end of August, but he chose to play through the pain for two more games against Brighton & Hove Albion and Bayern Munich.
Unfortunately, it was later revealed that this injury was an exacerbation of a fractured metatarsal that he had originally suffered in April during a Europa League clash with Sevilla.
Manchester United confirmed that he would be sidelined for an “extended period,” which came as a significant setback for their manager, Erik ten Hag.
To aid in his recovery, Martinez was given some time off to return to his home country, and during this period, he attended a match at the Estadio Norberto ‘Tito’ Tomaghello to watch his former club, Defensa y Justicia, face Racing Club in the Argentine Primera Division.
In an interview with Argentine broadcaster TNT Sports (distinct from the UK outlet with the same name), Martinez shared, “I am in the process of recovery.
It is the second time that an injury like this has happened to me. So, you have to be patient.” This injury has forced him to display resilience and patience as he works towards returning to full fitness.
Regrettably, Martinez’s return to action for Manchester United is not expected until early 2024. During his absence, the team has had to rely on other defenders, including Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, and Jonny Evans, while even Raphael Varane, who was brought in, has had inconsistent appearances in the starting lineup.
Varane’s Premier League start against Crystal Palace in September was the only one since Martinez was ruled out due to injury.
Manchester United has faced a series of setbacks, enduring consecutive 3-0 defeats at Old Trafford, first to Manchester City and then to Newcastle United. This string of losses has intensified the pressure on the team as they approach their upcoming match against Fulham on Saturday.
