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Rob Dawson, Correspondent
Manchester United‘s hopes of earning Champions League qualification have been dealt a further blow after the club confirmed Lisandro Martínez and Victor Lindelöf are set to miss the next month with injuries.
Martínez has only just returned after two months out with a knee injury, but after making his comeback in the 1-1 draw with Brentford on Saturday has now picked up a calf injury in training.
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Lindelof was forced off in the second half at the Gtech Community Stadium because of a hamstring problem.
Both are expected to miss at least a month but sources have told ESPN that United are hopeful they will be able to return before the end of the season.
Erik ten Hag’s team, who sit sixth in the Premier League table, face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Thursday before Liverpool‘s visit to Old Trafford on Sunday.
Absences for Martínez and Lindelof will add to the Dutchman’s problems at the back. Luke Shaw is still out while Raphaël Varane went off at half-time against Brentford after picking up a knock in a challenge with Ivan Toney.
Jonny Evans has also missed the last two games because of injury.
United are in desperate need of points as they try to make up ground on Aston Villa and Tottenham in the race for Champions League qualification.
A top-four finish will guarantee a place in Europe’s top club competition next season, although finishing fifth might also be good enough if the Premier League is awarded one of UEFA’s performance spots in the new, expanded tournament for the 2024-25 campaign.