Paul Scholes admits Lisandro Martinez will be a ‘loss’ for Man United as the Argentine defender misses their Europa League tie in Sevilla through injury, but adds his former side boast ‘two experienced centre halves’ in Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire
- Manchester United face Sevilla in the second leg of their Europa League clash
- They will be without Lisandro Martinez after he picked up a metatarsal injury
- Paul Scholes insisted Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire can do a job in his place
Paul Scholes felt Lisandro Martinez’s absence would be a blow to Manchester United as they prepare to face Sevilla in he second leg of their Europa League quarter final, but insisted his former side have two ‘really experienced centre halves’ in his place.
The Argentine defender, who has been a revelation for the Red Devils this season, will be unavailable for the rest of the season after breaking a metatarsal.
With Raphael Varane also out injured, United will start Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof for Thursday’s clash, which Scholes felt would not be an issue.
We’ve got two really experienced centre halves,’ he told BT Sport. ‘He’s [Martinez] a loss of course. We thought the injury was worse.
‘It’s not as bad as we first thought. They’ve got the squad though. This is a stadium made for him. He’s fierce. He’s aggressive. He wants a fight, but they’ve not got him so you move on.’
Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez has been a revelation for Manchester United this year
He was carried off the pitch with a metatarsal injury in the first leg of their Europe League tie against Sevilla
The experienced pair of Victor Lindelof (left) and Harry Maguire (right) start in his place
Paul Scholes felt it was an ‘opportunity’ for the two ‘squad players’ to nail down a place
‘It’s an opportunity for the squad players to come in, and you have to give the manager credit because if these players come in and do well he keeps playing them.’
The tie is currently poised at 2-2, after Untied threw 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.
Speaking ahead of the second leg tie, the United boss told BT: ‘We have to play our best football to get there. This is a great opportunity for some players.
‘We play against a tough opponent and need to bring it for a minimum 90 minutes. It is more an English team than a Spanish team we are playing against. The second ball is huge, we need to win that and play football.
‘It is all about silverware at the end of the season. We have fought to get into this position and now we need to get it done.’
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