<p>Manchester United have been hit by a double defensive injury blow after Lisandro Martinez was ruled out for the rest of the season and Raphael Varane sidelined for the next few weeks.</p>.<p>Both players were hurt in Thursday's 2-2 draw against Sevilla in the Europa League quarter-final first leg at Old Trafford, in which United conceded two late own goals.</p>.<p>Martinez, who won the World Cup with Argentina in December, pulled up in pain gripping his right ankle late in the match and was taken away on a stretcher.</p>.<p>United had already lost fellow first-choice centre-back Varane to injury at half-time and his replacement Harry Maguire scored an own goal in stoppage time.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/football/manchester-united-fans-grow-impatient-as-club-sale-saga-drags-on-1209572.html" target="_blank">Manchester United fans grow impatient as club sale saga drags on</a></strong></p>.<p>Manager Erik ten Hag was unable to provide an update when he faced the media at lunchtime on Friday but the club later confirmed the severity the injuries.</p>.<p>"Lisandro Martinez has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after fracturing a metatarsal bone in his foot," United said in a statement.</p>.<p>"However, the Argentinian defender is expected to make a full recovery in time to be ready for the start of next season."</p>.<p>The statement added: "Lisandro's defensive partner Raphael Varane was also substituted with an injury at half-time in the same game and is expected to be out for a few weeks."</p>.<p>Martinez -- in his first season at Old Trafford -- and Varane have established themselves as Ten Hag's preferred centre-back pairing and their absence leaves a void as United look to end the campaign on a high.</p>.<p>Ten Hag's side, who won the League Cup in February, are looking to qualify for the Champions League and enter the weekend fourth in the Premier League standings.</p>.<p>Sunday's trip to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest is followed by the second leg of United's Europa League quarter-final against Sevilla in Spain.</p>.<p>Bruno Fernandes misses that match through suspension and club captain Harry Maguire is then banned for next weekend's FA Cup semi-final against Brighton at Wembley.</p>.<p>Maguire's absence is a concern as he and Victor Lindelof are now the only out-and-out centre-backs at United's disposal.</p>.<p>Asked how much faith he had in the pair, Ten Hag said: "A lot. I think we have decent centre-halves and they have proved in the past. They have proved this season.</p>.<p>"We have four or five very good centre-halves who can do the job."</p>.<p>Another option is left-back Luke Shaw, who has impressed when used centrally this season.</p>.<p>The England international has missed recent matches through injury but could return against Forest along with midfielder Scott McTominay.</p>.<p>Top scorer Marcus Rashford is out with an apparent groin injury, joining Alejandro Garnacho and Donny van de Beek on the sidelines.</p>.<p>Ten Hag underlined the importance of squad players stepping up at his pre-match press conference.</p>.<p>"Every game is a battle, every game is a fight and you have to be ready for that fight," he said.</p>.<p>"We have a squad. I have said all season we have more than 11 starters. So now others are on and when their time is there you have to show and contribute to the team."</p>
<p>Manchester United have been hit by a double defensive injury blow after Lisandro Martinez was ruled out for the rest of the season and Raphael Varane sidelined for the next few weeks.</p>.<p>Both players were hurt in Thursday's 2-2 draw against Sevilla in the Europa League quarter-final first leg at Old Trafford, in which United conceded two late own goals.</p>.<p>Martinez, who won the World Cup with Argentina in December, pulled up in pain gripping his right ankle late in the match and was taken away on a stretcher.</p>.<p>United had already lost fellow first-choice centre-back Varane to injury at half-time and his replacement Harry Maguire scored an own goal in stoppage time.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/football/manchester-united-fans-grow-impatient-as-club-sale-saga-drags-on-1209572.html" target="_blank">Manchester United fans grow impatient as club sale saga drags on</a></strong></p>.<p>Manager Erik ten Hag was unable to provide an update when he faced the media at lunchtime on Friday but the club later confirmed the severity the injuries.</p>.<p>"Lisandro Martinez has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after fracturing a metatarsal bone in his foot," United said in a statement.</p>.<p>"However, the Argentinian defender is expected to make a full recovery in time to be ready for the start of next season."</p>.<p>The statement added: "Lisandro's defensive partner Raphael Varane was also substituted with an injury at half-time in the same game and is expected to be out for a few weeks."</p>.<p>Martinez -- in his first season at Old Trafford -- and Varane have established themselves as Ten Hag's preferred centre-back pairing and their absence leaves a void as United look to end the campaign on a high.</p>.<p>Ten Hag's side, who won the League Cup in February, are looking to qualify for the Champions League and enter the weekend fourth in the Premier League standings.</p>.<p>Sunday's trip to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest is followed by the second leg of United's Europa League quarter-final against Sevilla in Spain.</p>.<p>Bruno Fernandes misses that match through suspension and club captain Harry Maguire is then banned for next weekend's FA Cup semi-final against Brighton at Wembley.</p>.<p>Maguire's absence is a concern as he and Victor Lindelof are now the only out-and-out centre-backs at United's disposal.</p>.<p>Asked how much faith he had in the pair, Ten Hag said: "A lot. I think we have decent centre-halves and they have proved in the past. They have proved this season.</p>.<p>"We have four or five very good centre-halves who can do the job."</p>.<p>Another option is left-back Luke Shaw, who has impressed when used centrally this season.</p>.<p>The England international has missed recent matches through injury but could return against Forest along with midfielder Scott McTominay.</p>.<p>Top scorer Marcus Rashford is out with an apparent groin injury, joining Alejandro Garnacho and Donny van de Beek on the sidelines.</p>.<p>Ten Hag underlined the importance of squad players stepping up at his pre-match press conference.</p>.<p>"Every game is a battle, every game is a fight and you have to be ready for that fight," he said.</p>.<p>"We have a squad. I have said all season we have more than 11 starters. So now others are on and when their time is there you have to show and contribute to the team."</p>