12 September 2023 , 09:40
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Erik ten Hag has been handed a timely injury boost ahead of Manchester United's game against Brighton with Lisandro Martinez suggesting he is fit.
The 25-year-old was taken off during the second-half of United's 3-1 defeat at Arsenal last Sunday. It was the second time in four Premier League matches this season that Martinez has had to be substituted, having returned from a three-month lay-off with a metatarsal injury.
Raphael Varane is already out and Victor Lindelof was also replaced at the Emirates Stadium, meaning the Red Devils ended the match with Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans as their defensive pairing. Maguire has not started a game for United so far this term, while that was Evans' first appearance since re-joining the club.
Ex-Ajax defender Matinez provided an update on his fitness, after participating in full training with Argentina as they prepare to face Bolivia in their second World Cup qualifier.
"Ready for what's coming," Martinez wrote on Instagram, accompanying the caption with a Bolivia flag. Martinez did not feature against Ecuador on Friday but could be back in action to face La Verde.
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If Martinez returns to Carrington injury free, it will be a major boost for Ten Hag and United as they prepare to face in-form Brighton at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon. The Red Devils have made a mixed start to the season, picking up six points from a possible 12.
United have beaten Wolves and Nottingham Forest, as well as losing at Tottenham and Arsenal. But the Red Devils' performance against Arsenal was much-improved with Declan Rice scoring the Gunners' second goal in the 96th minute after Alejandro Garnacho's strike was controversially disallowed.
Lisandro Martinez limped off during Manchester United's defeat at Arsenal (Getty Images)Speaking after his side's defeat at Arsenal, Ten Hag said: "We are more compact, very good defending, high block, lower block. Everyone was involved and then we break like the first goal.
"I think on the ball we were calm and of course I see definitely also room for improvement and I see the moment where we can go forward. We missed, I think, some passes forward, but then it could have hurt them more. But I think, overall, I'm happy with the performance from the team."
"We have to improve, definitely," Ten Hag added. "But you see, and also what we have seen last year, we can beat everyone. It was such small margins today, so it could also have been our side. So when Garna [Garnacho] is finishing [for the goal that is ruled out], it's a goal that we're winning this game. So it's that close."