Lisandro Martinez aims to come back "stronger" after suffering a season-ending injury in Manchester United's Europa League clash with Sevilla on Thursday.

Martinez was carried from the field by Sevilla's Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel – his Argentina team-mates – after going down unchallenged in the closing stages of the 2-2 draw at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils on Friday confirmed centre-back Martinez will not feature again in the 2022-23 campaign after fracturing a metatarsal bone in his foot.

They added that the former Ajax defender, who won the World Cup with Argentina in December, is expected to make a full recovery in time for the start of next season.

Writing on Instagram, Martinez said: "Not the way I imagined what's been a very special season would end, but sometimes we face obstacles along the way that we have to overcome to make us stronger and we learn from them.

"I know that I'll be back very soon to go for more. In the meantime, I'll continue to support all my team-mates to achieve our objectives.

"The number of messages and support I've received has been amazing, they're giving me strength and encouragement at this moment.

"Many, many thanks to you all from the bottom of my heart."

United are next in action on Sunday when they visit Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

Manchester United have confirmed Lisandro Martinez will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a fractured metatarsal during Thursday's Europa League draw against Sevilla.

Martinez was carried from the field by Sevilla's Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel – his Argentina team-mates – after going down unchallenged in the closing stages at Old Trafford.

With Erik ten Hag having already used all of his substitutes, United were forced to finish the quarter-final first-leg clash with 10 men, and Sevilla took advantage to salvage a 2-2 draw from two goals down.

The Red Devils on Friday confirmed centre-back Martinez will not feature again in the 2022-23 campaign.

"Lisandro Martinez has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after fracturing a metatarsal bone in his foot," a club statement said.

"However, the Argentinian defender is expected to make a full recovery in time to be ready for the start of next season."

Martinez was not the only casualty in United's backline on Thursday as Raphael Varane was replaced at half-time after sustaining a knock, and the Frenchman is set to be out "for a few weeks".

Martinez and Varane have built a solid defensive partnership this term, starting together in 16 of United's 29 Premier League games during Ten Hag's first season in charge.

The injuries represent a huge blow for United, who will look to boost their hopes of a top-four finish at Nottingham Forest on Sunday ahead of Thursday's return fixture against Sevilla.

With Martinez and Varane absent, Ten Hag is likely to turn to Harry Maguire – who put through his own net late on against Sevilla – and Victor Lindelof for United's forthcoming fixtures.

United are already without leading goalscorer Marcus Rashford after the 25-year-old suffered a muscle injury, while Bruno Fernandes will be suspended for next week's trip to Seville.

Erik ten Hag was left ruing injury problems as Manchester United suffered late heartbreak against Sevilla in the Europa League, while Marcel Sabitzer slammed "two stupid goals" to concede.

Sabitzer's first-half double seemingly had United in complete control of Thursday's quarter-final first leg, with Ten Hag's hosts dominant throughout at Old Trafford.

Yet a Tyrell Malacia own goal six minutes from time handed Sevilla hope before Harry Maguire deflected into his own net in the 92nd minute.

Ten Hag insisted United's 2-2 draw was down to bad fortune, as opposed to his substitutes collapsing under late pressure.

The United manager told BT Sport: "I think we had the game in hand, we were 2-0 up and should have scored three or four. The game was totally on us.

"Some unlucky moments with injuries. Raphael Varane at half-time, Anthony Martial because it was his first start, Antony and Bruno Fernandes because they were on a yellow card.

"Then we lose control at an unlucky moment, then another unlucky moment with Lisandro [Martinez] going off injured when we go down to 10.

"We conceded two own goals, that is bad luck. We have to learn, we have to kill the game, but everything is open for the next game.

"I know we can do better with those players in the last part of the game, we had to be more composed and could benefit from our counter-attacking opportunities, but we didn't.

"We were a little bit unlucky with the defending, two own goals and deflected shots, it's not a nice night."

The late drama saw United become just the second English side to score two own goals in a single match in a major European competition, after Chelsea against Ten Hag's Ajax in November 2019.

It was also the first time United failed to win a match in a major European competition when they had a two-goal lead, since a 3-3 draw with Basel in September 2011.

Sabitzer was left struggling to find an explanation for the chaotic finale after United relinquished what appeared to be an unassailable position.

"I have problems finding the right words, like a rollercoaster game," the United loanee told BT Sport.

"We played a good first half, had good chances after and we had to finish the game off. At the end, it is a draw and that's not what we wanted so we have to go to Sevilla and get it done there.

"Unfortunately we gave away easy goals, we cannot concede these types of goals and we are very disappointed now.

"In a competition like this you have to be focused until the end, when you have a per cent less you can give the game away.

"I think the last minutes were a bit strange, one man down and we had to get the result done.

"But as I said, two stupid goals and that is not what we wanted. Very frustrated. You cannot concede like this and not focus until the end when you are 2-0 up at home, you have to get it done."

United will hope to fight back in the return leg at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium, though the Red Devils face a nervy wait on the fitness of key centre-back pairing Varane and Martinez.

Ten Hag suggested Varane aggravated an injury that kept him on the sidelines after March's international break, while the Dutchman was concerned Martinez went down despite not challenging another player.

"Licha drops out after a moment when there was no opponent involved, it doesn't look that great so we have to wait," Ten Hag added.

"The same with Rafa, an injury he has complained about over the last few weeks, so we have to see how it is now."

Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was left "scared" after leaving the first leg of his side's Europa League quarter-final against Sporting CP with chest pain.

The Poland international left the field in tears before the conclusion of the first half, with Mattia Perin introduced in his place and playing the remainder of the 1-0 victory at Allianz Stadium.

Szczesny was checked by the medical team and given the all clear shortly after the resumption of the second half, though he admitted he was concerned by the sequence of events.

"I am fine, I was a little anxious, but we did all the tests and everything is fine," he told Sky Sport Italia.

"I was scared, it had never happened to me before, I was struggling to breathe and it really worried me."

Perin's heroics in added time with a double save to deny Pote and Hector Bellerin secured victory for Juventus, with Szczesny returning to form by joking about the situation and praising his team-mate.

"The truth is, I saw Mattia in great shape in training, I felt tired and knew he would have a great double save at the 94th [minute]," he added.

"Nah, they fired it straight at him! I congratulated him, he is also a guy with a heart of gold, we get along well. It's a shame Carlo [Pinsoglio] didn't come on, he would've had a hat-trick of great saves today."

Speaking shortly after, Perin hailed the team's display and made it clear there was still plenty of work to be done.

"I think the team as a whole has been exceptional not to fall into a victim mentality or false alibis, instead we used that negative energy and made it positive, proving we are real men," he said.

"It is only half-time in the quarter-final, there are another 90 minutes to go and we can be happy with this victory, but it's only half-done."

Harry Maguire and Tyrell Malacia put through their own goal late on as Manchester United squandered a comfortable lead in a 2-2 draw against Sevilla in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie.

Captain Maguire deflected into his own net in the 92nd minute, just eight minutes after Malacia had turned past David de Gea as Sevilla somehow found a way back at Old Trafford in the quarter-final first leg.

A Marcel Sabitzer first-half double appeared to have Erik ten Hag's hosts in complete control, only for the late drama to leave United reeling by full-time.

Jose Luis Mendilibar's side will boast home advantage in a week's time as they eye a seventh Europa League title since the 2006-07 season.

Jadon Sancho fired past Sevilla keeper Bono with less than 30 seconds on the clock, only to be curtailed by a late offside flag.

A smart Bono stop denied Antony soon after, though the goalkeeper could do little two minutes later as Bruno Fernandes found Sabitzer, whose strike deflected into the top-left corner.

Sabitzer added his second just six minutes later after latching onto Anthony Martial's throughball and drilling past Bono.

De Gea kept United's lead intact at the interval after producing an expert save against a Tanguy Nianzou header from Ivan Rakitic's corner.

Antony twice went close after the break, whipping a curling effort wide before seeing a similar attempt smash off Bono's right post.

Christian Eriksen's 62nd-minute introduction after three months out injured came as United seemed set for victory, only for Malacia to offer Sevilla hope when turning Jesus Navas' low cross into his own net.

Sevilla then seized an unlikely comeback in the closing stages as Youssef En-Nesyri's header fortuitously deflected off Maguire and wrongfooted De Gea.


What does it mean? Sevilla record plays Devil in United's mind

United defeated Real Sociedad in the group stages and edged past LaLiga leaders Barcelona in the first knockout round before comfortably dispatching Real Betis in the last 16.

Their impressive run against Spanish sides appeared all but certain to continue until the late drama, as Sevilla maintained their streak of never losing against United, with this their third European meeting.

With that record in the back of United's minds at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium, Ten Hag will have to find a way past Mendilibar's side, who will be buoyed with confidence following their late fightback.

Fantastic Fernandes withdrawn

Fernandes has 60 goals and 50 assists since his United debut in February 2020, with Lionel Messi (80G, 59A) the only other player in Europe's top-five leagues to hit half-centuries for both those returns in that period.

Yet Ten Hag opted to withdraw the midfielder for Eriksen, a decision that proved costly and United's misery will be compounded as Fernandes will miss the second leg due to his first-half caution.

United gift Sevilla chance

United could have extended their lead multiple times in the second half, boosting hopes of a treble after winning the EFL Cup and reaching the FA Cup semi-finals.

But after United became just the second English side to score two own goals in a single match in a major European competition, after Chelsea against Ten Hag's Ajax in November 2019, Sevilla will fancy their chances.

What's next?

Before the return leg in Spain, United visit Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday, when Sevilla travel to Valencia in LaLiga.

A fine finish from Florian Wirtz rescued Bayer Leverkusen a 1-1 draw at home to Union Saint-Gilloise in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final.

Wirtz struck in the 82nd minute just when it appeared a wasteful Leverkusen performance would make them the latest victims of Union's sensational fairy-tale story.

In the Belgian second tier just two years ago and now enjoying their first European campaign since 1964-65, Union had already eliminated another Bundesliga side in namesakes Union Berlin.

Victor Boniface scored twice in the away leg of that last-16 tie and added a sixth Europa League goal of the season when he calmly steered a low finish past Lukas Hradecky from the left-hand side of the penalty area six minutes into the second half on Thursday.

The closest either team had come to scoring prior to that had been when Jonathan Tah unwittingly divert the ball against his own crossbar with his elbow from an Union corner.

Leverkusen did not lack endeavour, but the requisite quality was missing until Wirtz fired in a potentially vital equaliser from outside the area.

Harry Maguire and Tyrell Malacia put through their own goal late on as Manchester United squandered a comfortable lead in a 2-2 draw against Sevilla in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie.

Captain Maguire deflected into his own net in the 92nd minute, just eight minutes after Malacia had turned past David de Gea as Sevilla somehow found a way back at Old Trafford in the quarter-final first leg.

A Marcel Sabitzer first-half double appeared to have Erik ten Hag's hosts in complete control, only for the late drama to leave United reeling by full-time.

Jose Luis Mendilibar's side will boast home advantage in a week's time as they eye a seventh Europa League title since the 2006-07 season.

Federico Gatti's first Juventus goal gave the Bianconeri a 1-0 victory against Sporting CP in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday.

A hard-fought encounter at the Allianz Stadium looked set to finish goalless until the 73rd-minute winner, with both sides struggling to create clear-cut opportunities.

The most notable incident to that point had been Wojciech Szczesny's departure due to chest pains, although Juventus soon confirmed their goalkeeper was "doing well".

Gatti poked home from close range to secure a narrow first-leg lead, even if Mattia Perrin, on for Szczesny, was required to make a vital last-gasp double-save to preserve that advantage.

Feyenoord gained some semblance of revenge against Roma for last season's Europa Conference League final as they beat the Serie A side 1-0 in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final.

An insipid performance from Jose Mourinho's side saw them miss a first-half penalty, before Mats Wieffer struck the only goal of the game just after half-time.

Paulo Dybala was forced off after 25 minutes through what appeared to be a groin injury as Roma struggled to get anything going, while Feyenoord only threatened with half chances.

Roma were awarded a penalty just before half-time after an outswinging corner struck Mats Wieffer on the hand, but Giallorissi captain Lorenzo Pellegrini hit the left-hand post with his spot-kick.

The hosts were ahead just eight minutes into the second half after neat work from Oussama Idrissi on the left allowed him to find Wieffer on the edge of the box, and his volley into the turf bounced past Rui Patricio and into the far corner of the net.

Things went from bad to worse for Mourinho as he also lost Tammy Abraham to a shoulder injury, while Roger Ibanez was denied an equaliser by a goal-line clearance from Idrissi as Arne Slot's men clung on to take an advantage to the Stadio Olimpico next week.

Sevilla president Jose Castro rallied his side ahead of their Europa League tie against Manchester United after the Spanish outfit landed in England for the first leg.

Castro reflected on Sevilla's rich history in the competition as reason for optimism despite the backdrop of a poor LaLiga campaign that sees them in 12th.

This Europa League track record includes six titles, with the most recent coming in 2020 after a semi-final 2-1 win over United.

Castro said: "We have the opportunity after a bad league season that we are doing. In Europe, we are in remarkable shape, and if we advance, it would be outstanding.

"We are the king of the competition, we are going to make it difficult, and the squad is aware, because for Sevilla, the Europa League is something else.

"[United] have the environment, the stadium, the squad, the budget, the clubs they have eliminated... but we are in our competition, and we are going to try to make it difficult, with the memories of going through as we have done on other occasions against this team."

In 2019-20, goals from Suso and Luuk de Jong saw Julen Lopetegui's side through, while Sevilla also eliminated United from the Champions League last 16 in 2017-18.

They are big underdogs this time, however, with Sevilla's domestic form contrasting with a top-four push in Manchester as Erik ten Hag continues to impose his vision on his United squad.

"We know the difficulty of the tie, which is complicated because they are a great team with a huge squad," Castro added.

"Sevilla never give up. We have this opportunity, and we are going to try to take advantage of it against a great team who are showing a lot.

"I see more options now because I see the team more compact and better in everything, but above all because we have players recovering.

"So many injuries in the same positions have affected us a lot, and now the coach has more options, something that could be decisive."

Indeed, this could be a key factor in at least the first leg. As Sevilla players return, Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw are out for United.

Massimiliano Allegri has warned his Juventus side about the strength of Sporting CP ahead of the two teams clashing in the Europa League quarter-final. 

Juventus host the Primeira Liga side in the first leg on Thursday night, after the Bianconeri eliminated Freiburg in the last 16, while Sporting beat Arsenal. 

Allegri's side sit seventh in Serie A after a 15-point deduction for alleged transfer irregularities, while Sporting are fourth in Portugal's top-flight and are unbeaten in their last 11 games in all competitions.

"Tomorrow is a difficult match," Allegri said at a press conference on Wednesday. "It is an important quarter-final against a team that has been on a positive run for 11 games now.

"Sporting's coach [Ruben Amorim] is young and very good. He brought the league title back to the club [in 2020-21] after 19 years.

"We have to do things the right way tomorrow to have an advantage for when we go to Lisbon."

Juventus will be boosted by the return of key players on Thursday, including Paul Pogba, whose injury-hit season has seen him play just 35 minutes since re-signing from Manchester United last summer.

"Pogba is on his feet, which we are happy about," added Allegri. "Now we are working on improving his condition.

"Tomorrow he will be available and will be on the bench. Alex Sandro and [Dusan] Vlahovic are both available, but [Mattia] De Sciglio is not."

Juventus are second-favourites to win the Europa League behind United, but Allegri is not look beyond the quarter-final.

"Clearly it would be fantastic to get to play the final," he said. "But before then, there are still four games to face, starting with home and away against Sporting.

"So, it's too early to talk about playing in a final. We're only thinking about this next game, and we'll continue step by step."

Manchester United are at their best when Anthony Martial is in the team, according to manager Erik ten Hag.

Martial's career at Old Trafford since signing from Monaco in 2015 has been plagued by injuries, with the forward loaned out to Sevilla for the second half of last season where he scored just once in 12 appearances.

A strong pre-season meant this campaign started with optimism, though he has again been in and out of the line-up because of his fitness with Marcus Rashford's goals proving crucial in his absence.

With Rashford ruled out for several games with a muscle injury and January loan signing Wout Weghorst struggling in front of goal, Ten Hag needs Martial to start firing if United are to add more silverware to the EFL Cup they lifted in February, which ended a six-year trophy drought.

Ten Hag is confident the 27-year-old will be a big help over the rest of the season, though he will not rush the forward back to the team before he is ready despite him scoring off the bench in the 2-0 victory over Everton at the weekend.

"We don't have to force things," Ten Hag told reporters. "We are careful. The front line against Everton worked really well.

"When he [Martial] is in the team, we play our best football and we have our best results as a team. The time he needs for a goal is less. I defend him because I point to the stats and see how he contributes."

Martial's first start since January could come against his former side Sevilla in the Europa League on Thursday as United meet the six-time winners in the first leg of their quarter-final clash at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag believes Martial is ready to play from the off for the first time since returning from a hip injury, saying: "I think he is ready to start.

"But the front line did very well against Brentford and we picked the same against Everton. The advantage was we could bring Martial back slowly, giving him minutes, but I think already against Everton he was ready to start the game."

United could also be boosted by Christian Eriksen being available for the starting XI for the first time in over three months, after his strong start with the Red Devils was hampered by an ankle injury suffered against Reading in the FA Cup fourth round back in January.

Ten Hag believes the Denmark international's return will improve United's midfield, explaining: "I think the balance in the midfield was good with Casemiro, Eriksen and Bruno [Fernandes].

"Casemiro is the balance player, Eriksen can support him but also go to the final part of the game, can create chances with key passes.

"So yeah, a really important player and I think he had seven or eight assists in the league, which tells the story."

Marcus Rashford will miss Manchester United's next few games, the Premier League giants have confirmed.

Rashford suffered a muscle injury in United's 2-0 win against Everton on Saturday.

It was revealed on Wednesday that not only will the in-form forward be out for the Europa League quarter-final first leg against Sevilla on Thursday, but further games beyond that.

The 25-year-old has had a fine season for the Red Devils, scoring 28 goals in 47 outings, but will now miss the next "few games".

The club stated: "Marcus Rashford will be unavailable for Thursday’s UEFA Europa League quarter-final game against Sevilla because of a muscle injury.

"The forward was withdrawn in the 80th minute of Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League win over Everton at Old Trafford and immediately headed to the dressing room for treatment.

"Subsequent assessment of the injury suggested that Marcus will be unavailable for a few games, but is expected to be back for the season run-in."

United manager Erik ten Hag told the club's website he has confidence in other players stepping up to take on the goalscoring burden, with their next top scorers for the season after Rashford being Bruno Fernandes (10), Antony (7), Anthony Martial (7) and Fred (6).

"We have many more players across the squad who can score," he said. 

"I think we have players like Bruno, like Jadon Sancho, like Anthony Martial, like Scott McTominay, like Antony. We have enough players with the capabilities to score goals, definitely."

After they face Sevilla at Old Trafford, United visit Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday, before the return leg in Seville next Thursday.

UEFA has hit Eintracht Frankfurt and PSV with partial stadium closures after unsavoury scenes overshadowed European ties involving both clubs in February.

Both legs of Eintracht's 5-0 aggregate defeat to Napoli in the Champions League's last-16 were marred by violence, with clashes between supporters witnessed before the Partenopei's 2-0 away win on February 21.

Eintracht were subsequently charged with the lighting of fireworks and blocking of public passageways by UEFA, and the governing body has now fined the Bundesliga club a total of €70,000 and ordered them to close areas of Deutsche Bank Park for their next continental fixture.

The fear of further violence led Italian authorities to attempt to ban Eintracht supporters from travelling to Naples for the return fixture on March 15.

However, supporters clashed with local police after defying that measure, with footage on social media showing crowds throwing missiles at officers wielding riot shields.

Meanwhile, PSV have also been ordered to close sections of the Philips Stadion for their next UEFA game after a fan attacked Sevilla goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic during a Europa League match.

PSV suffered a 3-2 aggregate defeat in the competition's knockout round play-offs, with the tie overshadowed by a supporter entering the pitch and throwing a punch at Dmitrovic in February's second leg in Eindhoven.

The 20-year-old man was given a two-month prison stint on March 8, as well as being made subject to a 40-year ban from PSV's stadium.

PSV have been fined €29,375 after UEFA investigated the incident, with the club also being charged with the throwing of objects at the same match.

France midfielder Adrien Rabiot would not suggest whether he plans to remain at Juventus despite his contract only running until the end of the season.

The Bianconeri are still fighting in the Europa League and Coppa Italia, after a 15-point deduction derailed their league campaign.

Rabiot insisted he is focused on the remainder of Juve's season rather than being drawn on his personal position in a Tuttosport interview.

He said: "My future? For the moment there is no news, but we will definitely talk soon, because in about two months the season will be over and we will try to discuss [it], but I'm calm.

"There is the possibility of leaving but also the possibility of signing a new contract with Juve.

"I feel good in Turin, I do a good job at the club and there is a good relationship with the management, my team-mates and the coach, who has also helped me.

"I believe all of this is important to feel good and therefore make the right choice for my future."

Rabiot might well have left Juve last year, when he reportedly came close to joining Manchester United, though a move to Old Trafford fell through.

After a difficult start to the season, Juve had thrust themselves into the Serie A title race. However, their chances were ended by a 15-point deduction due to financial irregularities.

As a result, Juve went into the international break in seventh, seven points behind fourth-placed Milan with 11 games remaining.

Rabiot added: "Without the 15 points [deduction] we would be able to qualify for the Champions League.

"But honestly, I say that we could qualify even if the penalty were to remain. I believe it.

"We are focussed on all fronts and clearly the Europa League is something we will try and win.

"There are still many good teams left, but we want to achieve something important. I'm confident we can win both the Europa League and the Coppa.

"We are having a complicated season for all the reasons that are known, but I believe that despite this, we are able to win.

"In fact, to be honest, I can also say that succeeding would give us even greater satisfaction."

Juve's second game after the international break is the first leg of their Coppa semi-final against Inter, with the Bianconeri having beaten Simone Inzaghi's side at the San Siro in Serie A to round off their pre-break fixtures.

"The lads in the team have a lot of desire to win, also because it is the historical spirit of Juventus," Rabiot said.

"The DNA of the club is clear, and we all want to pass it on to those who arrive.

"If I have to tell the truth, the impression I got on Sunday is, Inter is a team less strong than the one we faced in Turin.

"They also seemed less strong than last year. I had the feeling that they felt less confidence."

Rabiot's initial focus is on France, with Les Bleus facing the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland in Euro 2024 qualifiers over the coming days.

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