Traitors! Manchester United defenders accused of sabotage after national team appearances

Manchester United defenders Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof have both come in for heavy criticism after appearing to be fully fit during the international break despite coming off injured against Arsenal at the weekend. 

Martinez and Lindelof were both substituted with injuries against Arsenal in the Premier League, with the Red Devils falling to a 3-1 defeat after their substitutions, but after they appeared in training videos for their countries during the international break just days later, they have been accused of faking their injuries. 

Martinez will be on duty for Argentina, while Lindelof will play in the European qualifiers with Sweden, leaving many wondering what type of injury would force the pair out of contention against Arsenal, but leave them fit for international duty just days later. 

As a result, fans of Manchester United and other clubs on social media have accused the pair of running away from the Arsenal pressure or ditching Manchester United to be in top shape for international duty. 

Fans attacked a post on X announcing Martinez’ return to fitness with Argentina, asking why he needed to leave the Arsenal game with more than 30 minutes to go, only to be fit days later, with some comparing him to ex-captain Harry Maguire, who took painkillers while injured to play for the club. 

Another post showing Lindelof in Sweden’s dressing room was also met with vitriol as fans attacked the centre-back for costing them the game against Arsenal. 

The nature of injuries to both players have not been made public, but they will likely be fit in time for the Red Devils’ next fixture against Brighton after the international break.