Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, & Marcus Rashford may be sidelined for the second leg against Sevilla due to injury, according to Erik ten Hag.

On Thursday night, Manchester United lost the first leg of their Europa League quarterfinal match against Sevilla after giving up a 2-0 lead in the final 10 minutes, ending an incredible night at Old Trafford.

When it was discovered that Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez, the Red Devils’ two starting center backs, had both suffered serious injuries, the team’s plight got worse. They are now doubtful for the second leg, which will be on Thursday in Andalusia.

Varane was substituted after the first half, although Martinez needed assistance getting off the field after falling on the ground without any teammates around. Even though Ten Hag was unable to ascertain the exact nature of their injuries, he didn’t appear very concerned and asserted that his team had capable substitutes.

“When Licha Martinez drops out with no opponent involved, it doesn’t look that great. I cannot tell what it is but it is not achilles. No that is not the area. Rapha [Varane] was injured. We have very good replacements [for Licha] with Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw, so we have players who can replace them. But of course, it is a miss,” he told BT Sport after the match.

“I think he [Martínez] will not play on Sunday. It looks like that but I can’t say what is the diagnosis and I prefer to wait and then we are clear and we know exactly what it is. I have spoken with him [Martínez], he is okay, he is calm. Of course and we compete in three competitions and then you need a squad. So if Licha Martínez, Rapha Varane are not available on Sunday then others have to do it,” he stated.

Ten Hag made a couple of surprising substitutions as he took off Bruno Fernandes and Antony, both on yellow cards, in the fear that they could get sent off and as he had used up all the five changes he was left with no replacements when Martinez had to go off.

However, Ten Hag chose to defend his substitutions and also shared a fitness update on Marcus Rashford: “Bruno I got a warning from the ref about a second booking, same with Antony, I had to make the subs, no other choice. Then Martial, first start for a long period, so we had to make him on the 60. There is a chance [that Rashford returns next Thursday] but I can’t confirm it at this moment.”

After playing Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday, Manchester United will travel to Sevilla for the second leg of the Europa League quarterfinal on Thursday.