In advance of Sunday’s Premier League matchup between Manchester United and West Ham United at Old Trafford, manager Erik ten Hag of Manchester United has downplayed concerns over a new injury to Lisandro Martinez.
In the final moments of Thursday’s 4-3 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers—his first Premier League start since September—the Argentina international was pulled off and was later spotted icing his foot in the dugout.
Naturally, there were concerns that Martinez’s dosage may have made his prior foot issues worse. However, Ten Hag claimed that the change was preventative, and Martinez should be OK to play on Sunday.
The only players still out of contention are Anthony Martial (groyne), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (leg), Mason Mount (calf), and Tyrell Malacia (knee). Sofyan Amrabat (international) and Victor Lindelof (groin) are still in the running to return.
Martinez will be replaced by Harry Maguire, if necessary, but as of this writing, Martinez should be trusted to defend Andre Onana alongside Diogo Dalot, Luke Shaw, and Raphael Varane in an unchanged backline.
Ten Hag has emphasised the need for closely monitoring Casemiro’s fitness, however, so Scott McTominay—who scored at Molineux moments after entering the game—and injury-time hero Kobbie Mainoo might meet in the middle of the field.
Marcus Rashford made headlines for the right reasons on Thursday with the first goal, and he has undoubtedly done enough to play up front again alongside Antony and Bruno Fernandes after a turbulent week off the pitch.
Rasmus Hojlund, who broke the record established by Cristiano Ronaldo by being the youngest Manchester United player to score and assist in consecutive Premier League games, set up Rashford’s goal.
Onana, Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw, Mainoo, McTominay, Antony, Fernandes, Rashford, and Hojlund are likely starting positions for Manchester United.
