Paul Scholes says Lisandro Martinez will be a ‘loss’ for Man United but backs ‘experienced’ deputies
Paul Scholes admits Lisandro Martinez will be a ‘loss’ for Man United as the Argentina defender misses the Europa League match in Seville with injury, but adds his former side boasts ‘two experienced centre-halfs’ in Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire
- Manchester United will meet Sevilla in the second leg of their Europa League match
- They will have to miss Lisandro Martinez after he suffered a metatarsal injury
- Paul Scholes insisted that Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire do a job in his place
Paul Scholes felt Lisandro Martinez’s absence would be a blow to Manchester United as they prepare for Sevilla in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final, but insisted his former side have two ‘really experienced center halves’ in his place would have.
The Argentinian defender, a revelation for the Red Devils this season, will be unavailable for the rest of the season after breaking a metatarsal bone.
With Raphael Varane also out injured, United’s Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof will start for Thursday’s game, which Scholes thought would be no problem.
We have two very experienced central halves,” he told BT Sport. ‘He is [Martinez] of course a loss. We thought the injury was worse.
“It’s not as bad as we first thought. They do have the team. This is a stadium made for him. He’s fierce. He’s aggressive. He wants a fight, but they don’t have him, so you go on.’
The experienced duo Victor Lindelof (left) and Harry Maguire (right) will start in his place
“It’s an opportunity for the team players to come in, and you have to give credit to the manager because if these players come in and do well, he’ll keep playing against them.”
The score is currently 2-2 after Untied swept away a two-goal lead in the first leg with own goals from Maguire and Tyrell Malacia.
Star striker Marcus Rashford was not fit enough to start for Erik ten Hag’s side, but his presence on the bench will be a big boost for the Red Devils.
Ahead of the second leg, the United boss told BT: “We have to play our best football to get there. This is a great opportunity for some players.
“We are playing against a tough opponent and have to show him at least 90 minutes. It is more an English team than a Spanish team that we are playing against. The second ball is huge, we have to win it and play football.
“At the end of the season, it’s all about silverware. We fought to get to this position and now we have to get it done.’
