Rio Ferdinand has claimed that two Manchester United stars need to “stay fit” and the club could face a “huge problem” if one player picks up an injury.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was dealt a major blow after Lisandro Martinez suffered knee ligament damage in his side’s 3-0 win over West Ham.
Martinez had returned from injury in January after more than three months out and the United defender had made his presence felt in backline upon his return.
However, the 26-year-old Argentine defender suffered another setback after he limped off in the second half in the match against West Ham at Old Trafford.
Martinez had attempted to shield the ball from Vladimir Coufal, with the United centre-back suffering a knee injury during his tussle with the West Ham defender.
United confirmed that the former Ajax star would be “out of action for at least eight weeks” and it leaves Ten Hag without his key defensive option until April.
Ferdinand makes ‘huge problem’ claim
Speaking to TNT Sports, Rio Ferdinand admitted that Manchester United had suffered a “big loss” after Lisandro Martinez was left sidelined due to injury.
The TNT Sports pundit highlighted that Martinez brought “huge stability” to the left side of the United backline alongside Red Devils left-back Luke Shaw.
However, Ferdinand has now warned that England defender Shaw must “stay fit” and United could face a “huge problem” if he is injured now.
“I think it is a big, big, big loss,” he said.
“I think as soon as he [Martinez] comes back you’ll see the stability. I think him and Luke Shaw on the left-hand side bring huge stability.
“I think Luke Shaw now has to stay fit. If he gets injured now as well, it would be a huge problem for Man United.”
United have Shaw problem
Ferdinand’s words proved a little unfortunate as Luke Shaw was taken off at half-time against Aston Villa, and without a recognised full-back on the bench, the team had to bring Victor Lindelof on in his place.
Speaking after the game, Ten Hag insisted it was not a serious issue, and he simply wanted to be cautious with the left-back.
He said: “It was a precaution. He mentioned some complaints and we can’t take a risk, especially not with Luke Shaw, because he has had many injuries in the past.
“We took him off so that it did not become an injury. We have to see how it develops in the coming days.”
United are not in the clear yet with this, but there is at least another week until the next fixture, away at Luton Town.
Ferdinand talks another key Man Utd star
Ten Hag turned to veteran defender Raphael Varane for the Aston Villa clash on Sunday and started him alongside Harry Maguire in the absence of the injured Martinez.
Varane’s future at Old Trafford has been plunged into doubt this season and the 30-year-old Frenchman has attracted fierce transfer interest from Saudi Arabia.
Ferdinand is a big fan of Varane and believes that the former Real Madrid star’s fitness will be very important for Ten Hag after Martinez’s injury.
“Whoever the manager plays – Harry Maguire, [Victor] Lindelof, Jonny Evans – whichever one of those guys come in to replace Martinez have to hit the ground running,” he added.
“I just think fitness is the key – [Raphael] Varane’s got to stay fit as well.
“Two months is a long time, but hopefully we can get through it.”
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