Manchester United will be missing Lisandro Martinez in their Europa League play-off first leg with the Argentine suspended after picking up his third booking of the European campaign in tonight’s 1-0 win against Real Sociedad.
United’s number six was unlucky to pick up a booking just after the hour mark, and the former Ajax defender will miss the clash against one of the third-placed Champions League sides.
The 24-year-old, who has featured in every game for the Red Devils, will be a big miss, but hopefully Raphael Varane will be back available and in good form come February.
As well as his yellow card in San Sebastian, the caution he got in our Europa League opener against the La Liga side was even more frustrating, which ultimately led to us finishing second in the group.
Having come on at half-time against Sociedad back in September, the only game which the Butcher hasn’t started for the Red Devils, Martinez was harshly penalised for blocking a David Silva shot which hit his arm via a ricochet.
Italian referee Marco Di Bello awarded the Spanish outfit a penalty which Brais Mendes converted and that’s how the winner of Group E was ultimately decided.
Erik ten Hag’s side needed to win by two goals tonight following our matchday one defeat against La Real, but we could only manage a 1-0 win.
It now means that two more fixtures will be added to an already heavily congested fixture calendar with the play-off tie being played in February.
The postponed games against Crystal Palace and Leeds United also need to be rearranged.
But despite not finding a way to win the group, United extended our unbeaten run to nine games across all competitions and the Reds will fancy our chances of beating any of the third-placed Champions League sides despite Martinez missing the first leg.
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