Lisandro Martinez has vowed to come back stronger after Manchester United confirmed the influential defender was set to miss the rest of the season.
The summer signing from Ajax has enjoyed a stellar debut campaign and cemented his status as an Old Trafford cult hero following a series of combative displays.
Martinez went down in agony during the closing stages of Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final first leg clash against Sevilla which ended in a 2-2 draw.
United were initially reluctant to diagnose the nature of Martinez’s injury but on Friday confirmed he had broken a metatarsal and would there miss the remainder of the campaign.
Reacting to that setback, Martinez wrote on Twitter: ‘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 soon to go for more. In the meantime, I’ll continue to support my team-mates to achieve our objectives.
‘The messages & support I’ve received has been amazing, they’re giving me strength and encouragement. Thanks to you all from the bottom of my heart.’
Erik ten Hag, meanwhile, is confident absentee-hit side will have the depth and energy to cope with the relentless run-in as they head to a Nottingham Forest side in ‘survival mode’.
There is no let-up in a frantic first season for the Dutchman, who is juggling a top-four quest with their attempt to follow their Carabao Cup triumph with Europa League and FA Cup glory.
United head to relegation-threatened Forest in the Premier League on Sunday before turning their attention to cup matters as this manic period continues.
The Europa League quarter-final against Sevilla is poised at 2-2 ahead of Thursday’s second leg in Spain, which is followed next Sunday by the FA Cup semi-final against Brighton at Wembley.
‘We have depth in the squad,’ Ten Hag said as the number of absentees grows at a vital stage of the campaign.
‘We have to use the squad – that’s also what we did (on Thursday).
‘In the meantime, you have to win games, so also you need a tactical approach to win the games.
‘But I think we have good players and when we have problems – so injuries, suspensions – we have depth in the squad.’
MORE : Chelsea’s stance on permanent Joao Felix transfer as Manchester United consider summer bid
MORE : Pep Guardiola claims Arsenal will win Premier League title if Manchester City lose during run-in
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
