Lisandro Martinez will be out of action for at least eight weeks after damaging knee ligaments in Manchester United’s win over West Ham on Sunday.

Martinez limped off at Old Trafford with an injury to his right knee after it buckled under the weight of Vladimír Coufal as they tangled in the 66th minute.

The United defender tried to carry on for a few minutes but went down again in some distress and was immediately replaced by Raphael Varane.

Martinez had scans on Monday which confirmed the damage to his medial ligament.

A club statement said: ‘Lisandro Martinez has sustained an injury to the medial collateral ligament in his knee and is expected to be out of action for at least eight weeks.

‘We all wish Licha a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back on the pitch later in the season.’

Martinez won’t require surgery but he is set to miss at least nine more games of a season blighted by injury.

Sunday was only the fourth match – and third start – of Martinez’s comeback from a four-month lay-off following a second operation on the broken foot he suffered in a Europa League tie against Sevilla last April.

His performances since returning against Tottenham in mid-January have reminded United fans what a key player he is for Erik ten Hag following an outstanding first season at Old Trafford.

The United manager admitted on Sunday that Martinez’s latest injury ‘didn’t look good’, describing it as a ‘personal disaster’ for the player.

Ten Hag added: ‘He is very sad, very disappointed. We are with him. He is just returning and is very important for us. He brings spirit to the team, aside from his football ability.’

United have a number of options to replace Martinez after Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw all returned to the squad in recent games. Veteran Jonny Evans is a naturally left-sided centre-back who can also step in.