Manchester United defensive duo Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof have been ruled out of action for a month.
The double blow is yet another stinging setback for Erik ten Hag, who has had to deal with huge injury problems all season.
And particularly to Martinez, who United are desperate to build their defence around, but he simply cannot stay fit having only just returned to training recently.
The Argentina international had just come back from injury when he suffered a calf strain in training and now faces another month on the sidelines.
The World Cup winner had spent seven weeks in the physio room and Ten Hag was hoping to have him fit enough to start the trip to Chelsea on Thursday night, live on talkSPORT 2.
Joining Martinez on the sidelines is Lindelof, who has also had plenty of injury problems this season.
The Sweden international suffered a hamstring injury against Brentford on Saturday in a 1-1 draw and will also spend a month out of action.
Martinez replaced the 29-year-old with 20 minutes to go against the Bees.
In a statement on their website, United wrote: “Manchester United centre-backs Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez will be out of action for at least a month due to muscle injuries.
“Sweden captain Lindelof was withdrawn during the second half of last Saturday’s Premier League game against Brentford with a hamstring problem.
“Victor was replaced by Martinez after 69 minutes, as the Argentina international made his first appearance since early February.
“Unfortunately, Licha has now sustained a calf strain in training and is unavailable for the next few games.”
Ten Hag is already without both left-backs Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia and he faces another make-shift defence on Thursday night.
With a month-long absence for both Martinez and Lindelof now underway, it remains to be seen whether they will be fit enough for the end of the season.
The pair are set to miss five Premier League matches, including against Chelsea, as well as United’s FA Cup semi-final against Coventry on April 21.
The Red Devils are currently sixth in the Premier League and find themselves 11 points off fourth-placed Aston Villa.
Source: Talk Sport