Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has ruled out the possibility of Lisandro Martinez being fit for the FA Cup final against Manchester City.
The Argentina international suffered a metatarsal fracture during the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final against Sevilla last month.
He subsequently underwent a surgery to rectify the issue and United confirmed that the World Cup winner should return during pre-season.
Despite this, Ten Hag was recently asked by reporters whether there is any outside chance of the centre-back being available for the Manchester derby.
In response, he said via Manutd.com: ‘Completely no chance’.
Martinez has been a revelation in his debut campaign for the Red Devils. He has caught the eye with his concentration, distribution and ability to win key challenges.
His partnership with Raphael Varane in central defence has been mesmerising to watch but the fans won’t get to see the duo playing together until pre-season at least.
Varane picked up an ankle injury in the same game versus Sevilla but the Frenchman is touted to return to action in the lead-up to the FA Cup final on June 3.
Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw have excelled at the heart of the defence over the past few games but Ten Hag would no doubt prefer Varane playing soon.
The Red Devils face Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League tonight. They travel to the Amex Stadium where they will be eyeing their 20th win of the top-flight season.
If United manage to beat the Seagulls on the road, they would need just six points from their remaining five league games to seal their Champions League qualification spot.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
