Erik ten Hag provides an injury update on Lisandro Martinez at Manchester United

Lisandro Martinez has been missing since the beginning of April and will not return for Manchester United until next season.

Erik ten Hag says he expects Lisandro Martinez to return to Carrington in the coming days and hopes he returns from injury in time for the start of pre-season.

The Manchester United defender has been ruled out for the rest of the season after breaking a metatarsal bone during the Europa League quarter-final opener against Sevilla last month.

However, Ten Hag has now provided a positive update on Martinez ahead of this summer’s pre-season trip to the United States. Speaking to Viaplay, the Dutchman said: “I expect Lisandro Martinez to return to the club in the coming days. It will be ready by the start of the pre-season.”

Martinez underwent successful surgery in the days following his injury, then wrote on Instagram: “Everything went really well, thank God! Thank you so much for all your posts. Now focus on your recovery.”

The 25-year-old secured a regular place in Ten Hag’s lineup, usurping captain Harry Maguire to be part of first-choice centre-back alongside Raphael Varane.

He has helped United keep 20 clean sheets this season, scoring his first goal for the Reds against Arsenal in January.

United will play Leeds United in Oslo on July 12 before heading to the United States for a four-game tour. They will face Arsenal, Lyon, Wrexham, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund in friendlies ahead of the new Premier League season, which kicks off on 12 August.