Manchester United suffers another injury setback! Lisandro Martinez left the field in tears during the first half of the World Cup final, but it may not affect the new season.

During the World Cup final on Sunday, Spain defeated reigning champions Argentina 1-0 with a stoppage-time goal from Ferran Torres, winning the title again. For Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez, it was a double disappointment, as he was forced off the field early after injuring himself while making a tackle in the 44th minute of the first half.

This marks the second Manchester United player to end a World Cup match with an injury. Uruguayan midfielder Manuel Ugarte has already undergone surgery for a torn ACL in his left knee, effectively ruling him out for the new season. Martinez limped off the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, raising concerns for the Red Devils.

Martinez was attempting to block a shot from Spain when his overly aggressive tackle caused the injury. Just minutes earlier, he had received a yellow card for a scissor tackle from behind on Spain forward Mikel Oyarzabal, which already suggested some issue with his thigh muscles.

After going down, Martinez's teammate Emiliano Martinez quickly signaled to the sidelines that the Manchester United central defender could not continue. Martinez was soon replaced by veteran Nicolas Otamendi, and while lying on the ground and leaving the pitch, he was seen clutching the front of his right thigh.

Martinez's injury could cause problems for Carrick in building his defensive system. Last season, Manchester United's center-backs frequently suffered injuries: De Ligt was plagued by back problems and underwent surgery in the summer, while Martinez himself had an ACL tear and only returned in the second half of the season.

As he headed to the dressing room after being forced off in the World Cup final, Martinez covered his eyes with his shirt to hide his tearful face from the global audience. No one could immediately confirm the exact nature of his injury after the match. However, many Manchester United fans seemed unsurprised. "Just as expected, what comes will come," a Red Devils supporter lamented on social media.

According to injury experts, based on Martinez's movement and the area he pointed to after the injury, it is likely a quadriceps strain. The "Argentine Butcher" did not show a noticeable limp while walking, suggesting it might be a mild strain. A Grade 1 strain typically requires 1 to 3 weeks of recovery. If so, this injury would not affect his participation in Manchester United's preseason training.

Under FIFA rules, players are required to take a mandatory three-week rest after the World Cup, meaning Martinez could be fully recovered by the time he returns to Manchester United. According to the plan, Martinez is expected to report to Carrington on August 9 to join the team's training camp in Dublin, Ireland.

However, if Martinez's injury is more severe than expected, involving a muscle tear, it would be a Grade 2 strain, which could take 3 to 6 weeks to heal. It is certain that Martinez does not have the most severe Grade 3 strain, as that would involve a complete muscle tear, making walking impossible and requiring surgery and an absence of over three months.

The 28-year-old Martinez is in the final year of his contract with Manchester United, but the club holds a one-year extension option, meaning his deal could run until June 30, 2028. The club must decide whether to renew his contract. His ability and performances are not in question, but durability issues have persistently plagued the Argentine defender's career, and injuries like this are the root cause. Even if he had not gone down in the final, fans feared he might not complete the full preseason training, negatively affecting his fitness and leading to problems later in the new season.

In February 2025, Martinez suffered a torn ACL in his left knee, which kept him out for about nine months. According to his own account, this injury nearly forced him to consider retirement. Earlier, in 2023, he experienced a metatarsal fracture, and he has had multiple calf and foot injuries over the years. These experiences have made him one of the most injury-prone players in Europe. Martinez himself admitted: "When I got seriously injured, I was completely in a state of chaos. The pain was unbearable. Enough! I don't want to suffer anymore. I hope to recover and enjoy life."

At just 1.75 meters tall, Martinez has to rely on aggressive movements to enhance his defensive intensity as a center-back. At the highest level, especially in the physically demanding Premier League, these aggressive actions make him prone to injury. Manchester United may not sign a new center-back this summer—Maguire has already renewed his contract and remains with the team, along with youngsters Leny Yoro and Eden Heaven—but the club will definitely need to bring in a defender next year, when Maguire will be 34 years old.