Erik ten Hag says Manchester United cannot use injuries to defenders Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane as an excuse if their top-four push is damaged against Nottingham Forest tomorrow.
Ten Hag’s side are likely to be without both players at the City Ground after they were hurt during Thursday’s 2-2 draw against Sevilla in the Europa League quarter-final first leg.
Martinez was stretchered off after gripping his right ankle in the second half, while fellow centre-back Varane was substituted at half-time.
Ten Hag had no update on the condition of either Martinez or Varane when he spoke to reporters on yesterday.
“It’s not even 24 hours, so I don’t have a complete diagnosis so I can’t tell in this moment,” he said.
The United boss was coy when asked about reports that World Cup winner Martinez had broken a metatarsal, which would likely rule him out for the rest of the season.
“I can’t say in this moment,” he said. “When we have news, we will give it straight to you.
“But let’s do the medical, do the assessment, fully diagnose, complete the diagnosis and then we will give the news.
“It doesn’t change in this moment. I have an idea but I don’t cause speculation.”
Varane’s replacement, Harry Maguire, scored an own goal in stoppage time as Sevilla came from two goals down to rescue a draw at Old Trafford.