Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has stated he didn’t expect to be without Manchester United’s Lisandro Martínez for November’s international break.
The Copa América winners will take on Paraguay later today before hosting Peru next week in the World Cup qualifiers.
Ahead of Friday’s clash, La Albiceleste manager talked about the Manchester United player in the pre-match press conference. His comments are relayed by Infobae.
The 26-year-old played the full 90 minutes in Manchester City’s 3-0 win over Leicester City last Sunday.
Two days ago, La Nación reported the centre-back hurt his hip against the Foxes and carried out tests upon his arrival at the national team camp. The results have shown a hip problem, and it has forced him to miss the two matches for the World Cup winners.
Scaloni was asked about the former Ajax man’s withdrawal, and he said: “We didn’t expect the case of Lisandro.”
“We saw that he had suffered a blow to his back, but apparently, he had no problem, just pain. When he arrived here, the pain increased a bit, he underwent tests and is not fit to be here.”
The Red Devils have appointed Rúben Amorim as Erik ten Hag’s successor, and the new manager arrived at the club earlier this week.
Amorim’s first game in charge with Manchester United will be against Ipswich Town on November 24th. Martínez will be hoping his setback isn’t serious and he’s fit on time for the next Premier League clash.
