David De Gea has shared a heartfelt message with former teammate Lisandro Martinez after the Manchester United defender suffered a severe knee injury.

Martinez was visibly emotional as he left the pitch on a stretcher during United’s 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend. Following medical examinations, reports from TyC Sports confirmed that the Argentine has sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, an injury that will require surgery and is expected to sideline him for at least eight months.

As Martinez faces a lengthy recovery, his former colleague and ex-United goalkeeper De Gea took to social media to offer words of encouragement. The two played together during the 2022/23 season before De Gea departed Old Trafford as a free agent.

Posting on X, the Spanish shot-stopper shared images of himself and Martinez, accompanied by a powerful message: “As always, you do things… like a warrior.”

United, reeling from another disappointing home loss, will now shift focus to their next challenge. They are set to take on Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester City in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday, aiming to bounce back from their recent setbacks.

Manchester United have officially closed their business in the January transfer window, but it has been anything but spectacular for the Red Devils. With a struggling season that sees them languishing in 13th place, many expected a more aggressive approach to strengthen the squad. However, the club has opted for a relatively low-key window, securing only two new signings while allowing ten players to depart.

Defensive Reinforcements Over Attacking Firepower

With United’s attack faltering this season, many anticipated new additions in the forward line. Instead, the club focused on defensive reinforcements. One of the notable acquisitions is a Danish left-back, brought in to provide depth and competition on the flanks. Joining him is Ayden Heaven, a promising young defender from Arsenal, who has signed a contract keeping him at Old Trafford until 2029.

Upon completing his move, Heaven expressed his excitement: “I am incredibly proud to join Manchester United. This is a dream come true, and I’m thankful to everyone who played a part in making it happen. My goal is to work hard, continue developing, and become the best player I can be.”

An Exodus of Talent

While United were modest in their recruitment, the list of departures was extensive. The most high-profile exit of the window is Marcus Rashford, an academy graduate who has found himself out of favor under manager Ruben Amorim. Rashford has joined Aston Villa on loan until the end of the season, with Villa retaining an option to make the move permanent while covering a significant portion of his wages.

Fellow winger Antony has also departed, securing a loan move to Spanish side Real Betis. These two headline departures were just the beginning, as a host of young talents were sent out on loan to gain valuable experience.

Loan Moves Galore

Midfielder Dan Gore has sealed a temporary switch to Wigan Athletic, while Ethan Wheatley has moved to League Two outfit Walsall to aid their promotion push. Joe Hugill will continue his development with Carlisle United, whereas Ethan Ennis has secured a loan stint with Doncaster Rovers.

Additionally, Cheltenham Town have welcomed Ethan Williams on a short-term deal, and Jack Kingdon has joined Rochdale to gain first-team experience. Meanwhile, Tranmere Rovers have secured the services of both Sam Mather and Louis Jackson on loan.

With the January window now firmly shut, Manchester United must navigate the remainder of the season with their current squad, hoping that their defensive additions will provide much-needed stability as they attempt to salvage a disappointing campaign.

Manchester United loanee Antony made an instant impact on his Real Betis debut, earning the MVP award in their thrilling 2-2 draw against Athletic Bilbao.

The Brazilian winger secured a temporary switch to the La Liga side for the remainder of the season after struggling to meet expectations during his time at Old Trafford.

Having joined the Red Devils from Ajax in the summer of 2022 for a hefty fee of £82 million, Antony showed flashes of brilliance but ultimately failed to live up to his price tag over two-and-a-half seasons. The 24-year-old featured in 96 matches for United across all competitions, netting 12 goals. However, falling out of favor under manager Ruben Amorim, he seized the opportunity for a fresh start with Real Betis in the January transfer window.

His first appearance in Spain got off to a promising start as he played a key role in Betis’ attacking play. Early in the match, his saved shot led to a goal for Isco, giving the home side the lead. Despite Betis being pegged back twice by Bilbao, resulting in a 2-2 draw, Antony’s individual performance stood out, earning him the Player of the Match accolade.

Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini was full of praise for the new signing but also offered some constructive advice on refining his game.

“It was a very positive debut,” said the former Manchester City boss. “He’s a talented player. Before the game, I spoke to him about the importance of playing smartly—he doesn’t need to constantly showcase his skills on the ball. The key is to focus on making fewer mistakes and executing decisive actions, whether it’s scoring a goal, delivering a crucial pass, or providing a quality cross.”

Pellegrini expressed confidence that Antony will be a valuable asset for the team, emphasizing that his immediate impact is a promising sign for the remainder of the season.

With a strong start to his La Liga adventure, Antony will be looking to build on this momentum and prove his worth in Spain.