Manchester United Backline in Shambles: Martinez and Varane’s Injury Struggles Continue

Manchester United’s Defensive Woes: A Tale of Injuries

Manchester United’s backline has been plagued by injuries throughout the past two seasons, with both Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane spending a significant amount of time sidelined.

Lisandro Martinez: A Season Disrupted by Injuries

Martinez has endured a stop-start spell at Manchester United, missing a substantial portion of games due to various injuries. In the 2022/2023 season alone, he was unavailable for 47.1% of matches (36 games out of a possible 78).

A fractured metatarsal was the biggest culprit, keeping him out for 12 games. Additionally, he missed significant time with a knee injury (8 games) and a calf issue (6 games).

The current season hasn’t been much better for Martinez. Foot surgery and subsequent recovery have sidelined him for 22 games so far.

Raphael Varane’s Injury Struggles

Varane’s arrival at Manchester United was met with high expectations, but injuries have hampered his ability to consistently perform. In his debut season (2021/2022), he missed 18 games out of a possible 49 (36.7%). Hamstring, groin, muscular, and abdominal issues, along with a bout of COVID-19, contributed to his time on the sidelines.

The 2022/2023 season saw Varane miss another 17 games out of 62 due to various injuries, including foot, leg, ankle problems, and illness.

The current season hasn’t offered much respite either. Varane has already missed 12 games out of a possible 47 due to a combination of unspecified injuries, illness, and back and ankle problems.

A Combined Impact

Looking at the bigger picture, Varane has missed a total of 47 games out of a possible 158 since joining Manchester United, translating to a concerning 29.75% absence rate. This, coupled with Martinez’s injury woes, has undoubtedly impacted the team’s defensive solidity.