Erik ten Hag issues caution as injured pair could still be ‘weeks’ away from returning

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Erik ten Hag has issued a huge blow for Manchester United fans as they eagerly await the return of Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro.

Manchester United have been without Lisandro Martinez for nearly three months now and have been without Casemiro for nearly two months.

The pair were vital during last season’s triumphant campaign which included ending the club’s seven-year trophy drought with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United side in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley in February.

Since the beginning of this season, however, the pair have not looked anywhere near their best but fans were still clamouring for them to return to the first team and help a season that is on the verge of becoming a disaster.

Martinez and Casemiro return delayed

According to Erik ten Hag, speaking in his latest pre-match press conference ahead of United’s clash with Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup, the pair may not be as close to a return as fans might have hoped.

“They are a long time already back on the grass and now they return back into team training,” Ten Hag explained. “But not fully so partial. Now they have to make the next steps and that may take some days, I think even weeks.”

This would be a huge blow for the Red Devils as the uncertainty in the team without two players, whom Amad Diallo described as ‘good leaders’ in the dressing room, will only get worse as times goes on.

The pair play in such vital positions for the team and you wonder where the Red Devils would be if they had a fully fit Martinez and Casemiro to rely on this campaign.

Defensive problems

When the Red Devils take on a side in League One, two below United, a routine victory should be expected with team rotation and progression into the fourth round of the competition a guarantee.

However, this season has been filled with surprises so the Red Devils may well have to be wary about losing focus and being complacent or they could well be on the end of an embarrassing defeat.

Rotating the team may well be important but due to the FA Cup being the only competition they’re in for the rest of the season, going with a strong lineup and getting the job done may well be the way to go.

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