“This sudden Martinez injury has forced us to make a last minute bid for this UCL winner from Barcelona. I think he’s the perfect man to replace him” – This is according to Ruben Amorim as Manchester United are forced to trigger a £12.5m emergency transfer following Martinez’s ‘severe’ injury setback.

Manchester United have reportedly stepped up their pursuit of Barcelona defender Andreas Christensen ahead of the transfer deadline following Lisandro Martinez’s injury setback on Sunday.

The Red Devils endured another disappointing outing with a 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford, marking their 11th loss in 24 Premier League games this season.

That result sees them slip to 13th in the league standings, sitting 12 points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, who hold the final Champions League qualification spot, and equally 12 points clear of the relegation zone.

Adding to their woes, Argentina international Martinez was forced off the pitch due to injury, with Man United manager Ruben Amorim later confirming it as a “serious” issue.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Amorim admitted: “We will assess the situation in the coming days, but it appears to be a serious concern. He is not only an outstanding player but also a crucial presence in the dressing room.

“This is a tough moment for us, but our focus now is on supporting Licha, just as he supports us every day. As a player, you can sense when an injury is severe.

“We are hoping for positive news, but regardless of the outcome, we will stand by him through this challenging period.”