{"id":3070,"date":"2026-03-10T20:00:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T20:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=3070"},"modified":"2026-03-10T20:00:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T20:00:12","slug":"man-utd-dealt-major-injury-blow-ahead-of-aston-villa-clash-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=3070","title":{"rendered":"Man Utd dealt major injury blow ahead of Aston Villa clash | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n\t\t\"Newcastle\t<\/div>
Michael Carrick is likely to be without Lisandro Martinez for Manchester United\u2019s match with Aston Villa (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lisandro Martinez has suffered a frustrating setback in his return from injury and is expected to miss Manchester United\u2019s clash with Aston Villa this weekend.<\/p>\n

The 28-year-old was an ever-present in central defence following Michael Carrick return to Old Trafford, playing every minute of United\u2019s first five matches under the interim manager.<\/p>\n

But Martinez went down with a calf problem in training a month ago and has been forced to miss United\u2019s last three Premier League games against Everton, Crystal Palace and Newcastle as a consequence.<\/p>\n

Martinez\u2019s absence has coincided with a slight dip in performance after a remarkable start under Carrick, who encountered his first major blip in a 2-1 defeat at St James\u2019 Park last Wednesday.<\/p>\n

There had been positive noises that Martinez could recover in time for United\u2019s next clash with fellow top-four hopefuls Villa, but Leny Yoro appears likely to continue his run in the side alongside Harry Maguire at the back.<\/p>\n

According to Daily Mail Sport, Martinez suffered a \u2018slight reaction\u2019 back on the training ground at Carrington and looks set to sit out Sunday\u2019s high-stakes contest, despite initial hopes the Argentina international would only miss one match.<\/p>\n

The report claims that while the issue \u2018isn\u2019t too serious\u2019, United do not want to rush Martinez back into the fold are keen to take a cautious approach with his rehabilitation.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"West\t<\/div>
Martinez has been sidelined since United\u2019s 1-1 draw with West Ham (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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\n\t\t\"Manchester\t<\/div>
The Argentine centre-back played every minute of Carrick\u2019s opening five matches (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Red Devils find themselves short of options in central defence, with Matthijs de Ligt still yet to play under Carrick having been unavailable since as far back as November.<\/p>\n

There had been some suggestions that De Ligt could be able to return to first-team action before the turn of the year, but the Netherlands is still yet to feature three months later.<\/p>\n

It remains unclear when exactly the 26-year-old Dutchman will be deemed fit enough to play a part again following his back injury.<\/p>\n

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Patrick Dorgu, Mason Mount and Noussair Mazroui are also nursing injuries entering a crucial period for United in their battle for Champions League qualification.<\/p>\n

Asked if he could provide an update on Martinez\u2019s condition prior to United\u2019s loss to Newcastle, Carrick told reporters: \u2018Not particularly really, no.<\/p>\n

\u2018He won\u2019t be with us. He\u2019s not quite ready for that.\u2019<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Newcastle\t<\/div>
Carrick is pleased with the response his squad have shown in training (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Speaking to United\u2019s in-house media team today, Carrick applauded his players for the response they had shown in training following their setback against Newcastle.<\/p>\n

On their upcoming encounter with Villa, he said: \u2018It\u2019s an important game. It\u2019s one we\u2019re looking forward to, you know. <\/p>\n

\u2018We\u2019ve manoeuvred ourselves into such a good position now and it\u2019s been a positive couple of months that we want to build on.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2018We\u2019re coming off the back of losing a game, but it happens, we\u2019ve seen pretty much everyone over recent weeks has lost. So that\u2019s what this league brings and we\u2019re putting things in perspective and understanding what we can do a little bit better.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2018But the boys have been really good in training again and just looking forward to the next game.\u2019<\/p>\n

Victory over Villa this weekend would see third-placed United move points clear of Unai Emery\u2019s men in the table.<\/p>\n

The visitors have several injury concerns of their own ahead of the match, with Youri Tielemans, Matty Cash, Boubacar Kamara, Andres Garcia and Harvey Elliot all unlikely to play a part.<\/p>\n

Emery will hope the rest of his squad come away unscathed on Thursday night when Villa take on Lille in the first leg of an intriguing Europa League last-16 tie.<\/p>\n

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