The United boss was asked for more detail about Martinez’s injury during a press conference ahead of facing Aston Villa on Sunday. The club had already confirmed in a statement that he suffered medial collateral ligament damage against West Ham last weekend and will miss at least eight weeks to recover.
Ten Hag said: “It is a setback of course. Licha was returning and you see his contribution to the team when he is playing, apart from the technical skills also the mentality. It is a big setback for Licha, he is very disappointed but he is a fighter. He will be back, stronger back and will play by the end of the season. As a a squad we have to replace him and we have players who can play there and will play there.”
Martinez has already missed most of the season due to a aggravating a previous foot injury during a defeat to Arsenal in September and continued to soldier on for two more games. The Argentine, who previously played for Ten Hag at former club Ajax, has been one of the first names on the United teamsheet when fit but will now considerably add to the 23 games in all competitions he has missed so far in 2023/24.
