MANCHESTER, England — Lisandro Martinez, a defender for Manchester United, was visibly distressed as he was taken off the field on a stretcher during the team’s Premier League match against Crystal Palace on Sunday, after sustaining what manager Ruben Amorim referred to as a “serious” injury to his left knee.

The 27-year-old Argentine player suffered the injury in the 76th minute while attempting to challenge Palace’s forward Ismaila Sarr. He was seen in visible pain and received extensive medical attention while his teammates looked on anxiously.

As he exited the pitch at Old Trafford, the fans gave him an encouraging round of applause, showing their support amid the unfortunate circumstances.

The match ended in disappointment for United as they fell to Crystal Palace with a score of 2-0.

Amorim expressed his concerns about the injury, stating, “We will evaluate the situation over the next few days, but it appears to be a serious issue. He is not merely a talented player; he also brings a strong presence and character to the team. When a player experiences something like this, they can have a good sense of how serious it is.”

He further emphasized the importance of supporting Martinez during this challenging time, remarking, “We are all here to provide him with the assistance he needs, just as he has supported us.”

Martinez had already battled injuries in the previous season, which included setbacks related to knee ligament issues and a foot injury, making this new situation particularly troubling for the squad and its fans.