- A key Manchester United player has withdrawn from international duty
- This may be a blow for Ruben Amorim after he started at Old Trafford on Monday
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Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has pulled out of Argentina’s squad with a hip injury, according to reports in South America.
Martinez is believed to have suffered the injury in United’s 3-0 win over Leicester City on Sunday, and then encountered travel difficulties flying from the UK to Paraguay for Thursday’s World Cup qualifier in Asuncion which may have aggravated the problem.
The United defender had a severe delay at an airport in Brazil with several other Premier League stars including Emiliano Martinez, Christian Romero, Enzo Fernandez and Facundo Buonanotte.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez posted on Instagram: ‘30 hours and we’re still on a trip’.
It’s understood that United winger Alejandro Garnacho is making his own way to Paraguay.
Ruben Amorim has been dealt a potential injury blow just 24 hours after starting at Man United
Lisandro Martinez (centre) has withdrawn from international duty with Argentina
Martinez is understood to have suffered a hip injury during Sunday’s 3-0 win over Leicester
Martinez, who will also miss Argentina’s qualifier against Peru next Wednesday, has withdrawn as a precaution and been replaced in Lionel Scaloni’s squad by Lens defender Facundo Medina.
The 26-year-old is likely to return to Carrington for treatment where he will meet new head coach Ruben Amorim for the first time.
Having arrived in Manchester from Portugal on Monday, Amorim was pictured talking to several players who are either recovering from injury or weren’t called up by their countries, including Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, Leny Yoro and Toby Collyer.
The former Sporting Lisbon boss is known to favour a 3-4-3 formation which involves playing three central defenders. With Yoro and Harry Maguire out of action, Amorim will be hoping that Martinez recovers in time for his first game away to Ipswich a week on Sunday.
