Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has stated that he did not expect to be without Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez for his side’s upcoming matches against Paraguay and Peru.

Martinez was forced to withdraw from the Argentina squad on Tuesday, having initially travelled to South America to join his international teammates for their World Cup qualifying double-header.

The centre-back, who has been an integral player for United so far this season, required treatment during the second half of Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Leicester City at Old Trafford but managed to complete the full 90 minutes, alleviating fears of a potential injury.

Martinez, as confirmed by Scaloni—who guided Argentina to World Cup triumph in Qatar two years ago—was experiencing back pain but appeared to have no other significant issues.

However, after joining up with the Argentina camp, he underwent assessment and it was determined that he should make a prompt return to Manchester to be evaluated by United’s medical team.

"We didn’t expect the situation with Lisandro," Scaloni admitted. "We saw that he had sustained a blow to his back, but it seemed he had no serious issue, just discomfort.

"When he arrived here, the pain worsened slightly; he underwent tests and was found unfit to stay with the squad."

Martinez, who has started 10 of United’s first 11 Premier League matches this season, now hopes to be fit for Ruben Amorim’s debut match as manager of the Reds against Ipswich Town at Portman Road after the international break.