da roleta： The Red Devils are simply not the same team without the inspirational Argentine, and his latest injury threatens to derail their recent revival

da pinnacle： If something looks too good to be true, it usually is, goes the old adage. And that was how most Manchester United fans must have felt when they saw Lisandro Martinez hobbling his way down the touchline, gritting his teeth through the pain in his knee, during the win over West Ham.

The score was 2-0 at the time and United were playing their best football of the season, high on confidence and with almost every player either back from injury or well on their way to returning. But just as there was at last a sense of optimism at Old Trafford, there was the sight of Martinez, who had been one of United's best performers on the day, looking dejected.

When he first tangled with Vladimir Coufal, the defender had punched the floor in frustration. And yet he decided to continue playing, walking back on to the pitch after a short period of treatment. But it was no use, and minutes later he was off again, this time setting alarm bells ringing. United manager Erik ten Hag spoke for all fans when after the game he said: "We can only pray."

Martinez might not score goals or make the headlines like Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Hojlund or Casemiro, but there is a convincing argument that he is United's most important player of all. Losing him to injury threatens to quash hopes of their mini-revival becoming a full-blown resurgence.

(C)Getty ImagesShort-lived comeback

United were just getting used to having Martinez back after he had to undergo a second operation on his foot back in September, when it was clear he was still suffering having fractured his fifth metatarsal last April against Sevilla.

The West Ham game was only Martinez's fourth match back after a four-month layoff, and it was clear the whole squad was gutted for him. Diogo Dalot put out a supportive message on social media and Ten Hag, who brought Martinez to United from Ajax, was visibly upset to see him break down again.

"He is very sad, very disappointed. We all feel really with him. First of all, it is a personal disaster when it is really bad, but also for the team it is really bad because he definitely brings us a lot," the Dutchman said.

"Very bad for him, very bad for the team. It seems bad, we have to wait and make the right diagnosis. In this moment we are very sad, hopefully it is not too bad, but we can only pray."

AdvertisementGetty ImagesBetter diagnosis than feared

Ten Hag's prayers have been answered, and it has been revealed that Martinez has not suffered a season-ending cruciate ligament injury as was first feared. He has been diagnosed with a collateral ligament sprain and crucially will not need another operation.

He is expected to return to action within two months at the latest, in time for the business end of the season as United look to salvage a harrowing campaign by making a final push to finish in the top four in the Premier League and win the FA Cup.

The news is also a boost for Argentina as Martinez will be available for the Albiceleste's bid to retain the Copa America. But while there is some relief after the diagnosis, even the best-case scenario of six weeks is out is too long for United, who have come to rely on Martinez to an unhealthy extent.

Getty Bone-crunching challenges

Martinez has been a revelation for United since signing from Ajax for £47 million ($59m) in the summer of 2022, quickly silencing doubters such as Jamie Carragher who wrote him off due to his lack of height. After a short bedding-in process, he proved to be hard as nails and not afraid of anyone, living up to the nickname 'The Butcher' he earned back in Argentina, and soon had a chant penned by United fans for his bruising reputation.

"He is so aggressive, he’s really good with his feet, he’s really good at tackling, so you cannot write him off just because he’s maybe not the height you expect him to be," said former United defender Daley Blind. "But I think he showed himself directly that he is capable of everything in the Premier League."

United benefitted from Martinez's bone-crunching challenges on Sunday, and it was plain to see that he was relishing being back in the thick of the action against West Ham, with the Stretford End yelling 'Argentina' every time he won the ball back.

Martinez is also a highly-intelligent defender, and West Ham manager David Moyes credited him for the role he played in preventing Emerson Palmieri from scoring after he had dispossessed Harry Maguire early in the second half. The Italy international spooned the ball over the bar, but Moyes praised Martinez for his positioning, which prevented him from squaring to Jarrod Bowen.

"Emerson was through, and maybe Jarrod should keep his run going and give him a square-pass option for the tap-in, or maybe it would affect Martinez, who did a good job in defending and forcing Emerson to keep on the ball. And then, before you know it, you’ve lost the ball," said the former United boss.

GettyLost without him

And it should be no wonder that United were so concerned at the sight of their inspirational centre-back falling injured again. The contrast between their record with Martinez and without him is stark.

Of the 47 matches the Argentine has played since signing from Ajax, United have won 32, drawn four and lost 12. But in the 48 games he has not started, they have won only 25, drawn eight and lost 14. That's a win rate of 68 per cent with him in the starting XI and just 52 per cent without him.

It is little coincidence that when Martinez fractured his metatarsal in that fateful match against Sevilla last season, United were 2-0 up and cruising towards victory in their Europa League quarter-final first leg, setting them up perfectly for the second leg and giving them an ideal platform to make the semis.

After he had to be carried off the pitch in agony by two Sevilla players, United shipped two goals in the final minutes. And without Martinez, they were butchered themselves at the Sanchez-Pizjuan, being thrashed 3-0.

They continued to struggle without him, only seeing off Brighton in the FA Cup semi-finals thanks to a penalty shootout before being comfortably beaten 2-1 by Manchester City in the final, while they merely limped over the line into the top four in the Premier League after defeats at Brighton and West Ham.