Manchester United have been dealt a significant setback ahead of their Premier League showdown with Everton.
According to The Athletic, Lisandro Martinez has sustained a calf injury and will be out of action for the next one to two weeks.
The Argentine has been a pillar under head coach Michael Carrick, starting all five matches alongside Harry Maguire.
This latest blow comes after Martinez battled back from a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in February 2024.
He returned to action in November, though then-manager Ruben Amorim initially eased him in from the bench.
The timing is far from ideal for Carrick, whose settled centre-back pairing had begun to show real promise, keeping two clean sheets in five games.
Martinez is arguably the best ball-playing centre-back in the Premier League.
While Maguire dominates aerial duels and protects the penalty area, Martinez provides the incision, driving vertical passes through opposition lines.
He consistently looks to split defences with progressive distribution rather than opting for the safer sideways option.
United now face a demanding run against Crystal Palace and Newcastle United within the next 10 days.
The £56.7 million defender is at risk of missing both fixtures.
His absence could hand opportunities to Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven.
Yoro is set to start alongside Maguire at the heart of the defence today against the Toffees.
With Matthijs de Ligt and Patrick Dorgu already sidelined, Carrick will be desperate for Martinez to make a swift recovery.
As United chase Champions League qualification, every defensive setback carries greater weight.