Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez underwent successful surgery on his broken metatarsal on Monday.
The World Cup winner fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot during last week’s Europa League draw with Sevilla.
He has been ruled out for the rest of the season as the injury usually takes six to eight weeks to heal.
Martinez has been one of United’s stand out performers this season following his arrival from Ajax, he has been nominated for the Premier League team of the season and was desperate to finish the campaign by achieving Champions League football.
His absence will be sorely felt by United who also have Raphaël Varane ruled out with injury.
Martinez wrote on Instagram last week: ‘Not the way I imagined what’s been a very special season would end, but sometimes we face obstacles along the way that we have to overcome to make us stronger and we learn from them. I know that I’ll be back very soon to go for more.
‘In the meantime, I’ll continue to support all my team-mates to achieve our objectives.
The number of messages and support I’ve received has been amazing, they’re giving me strength and encouragement at this moment. Many, many thanks to you all from the bottom of my heart.’
Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof have been restored as their starting centre backs but the club is actively working on adding a new defender for the summer.
Monaco’s Axel Disasi and Napoli’s Kim Min-Jae are among the names they have discussed while they also expect to offload others such as Eric Bailly who has endured a difficult period on loan at Marseille.
Kim Min-Jae is regarded as the one of the best centre backs playing in Europe at the moment and has a £40m clause active for a short window during the summer.
Liverpool, Tottenham and Newcastle are also keen on the 26-year old South Korean and have spoken to his representatives but Paris St Germain also want to pair him alongside Milan Skriniar who they are signing from Inter Milan.
SOURCE: dailymail.co.uk
