Jonny Evans handed shock Man United start as Martinez blow adds to injury crisis

Jonny Evans has been named in the Manchester United starting XI to face Burnley following an injury to Lisandro Martinez.

Reports had stated that Martinez could be missing from United’s clash against the Clarets at Turf Moor.

With that news now confirmed, it will come as a major blow to Erik ten Hag, who is already under mounting pressure after three defeats in a row.

United have been hamstrung by injuries in recent weeks, with several key players already absent.

But the loss of Martinez will hit hard as one of Ten Hag’s most trusted players having signed alongside him from Ajax last summer.

The World Cup winner has started every game this season for the Red Devils.

And with Raphael Varane already out injured and Harry Maguire also missing out, United only have two fit centre-backs in Victor Lindelof and Evans.

As a left-footed defender, Evans has been given the nod at the back and will partner Lindelof at the back.

Another injury would put United in a heap of trouble, with the only other potential options being rookie players Rhys Bennett and Willy Kambwala.

Martinez joins Maguire, Varane, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount and Tyrell Malacia on the sidelines.

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Jadon Sancho and Antony are also absent for differing reasons and there is no timeline of their returns.

Sofyan Amrabat is involved however, with the midfielder in line to make his Man United debut.

The Red Devils are in serious trouble after just two wins in the Premier League this season.

It has Ten Hag’s men languishing in 13th while they have lost three on the spin, the last being a 4-3 defeat to Bayern Munich on Wednesday night.

A 3-1 loss to Brighton last weekend cranked the pressure up on the Dutch coach, who also saw his side lose 3-1 to Arsenal the week before.

In his press conference on Friday, Ten Hag said on players returning: “Maybe, as you say, Harry Maguire – We will see better after training [on Friday afternoon].

“But Varane will train and we will see. Amrabat, he will train and we will see.

“Mount, as well, but they all didn’t play for a short or longer term. Varane, obviously, was the shortest [time] out.”

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