Nigeria and Everton midfielder Alex Iwobi left the pitch on a stretcher following a collision that left him with a vicious injury against Manchester United on Friday, January 6.
Alex Iwobi left Old Trafford in tears on a stretcher after picking up a ‘nasty’ ankle knock during Everton’s 3-1 disappointing defeat to Manchester United.
The 26-year-old Super Eagles fascinating midfielder seemed to be in serious pain before medical staff assisted him, and later moved him onto a stretcher and off the pitch.
Everton’s FA Cup campaign ended as Manchester United thrashed the Toffees 3-1 to advance into the next round of the tournament.
The 26-year-old Super Eagles star Iwobi went down two minutes after half-time following a hard tackle on his ankle from Manchester United’s Tyrell Malacia.
Iwobi collided with United defender Tyrell Malacia and then dropped awkwardly on his ankle, causing his joint to bend in a gut-wrenching style.
The 26-year-old Everton crucial midfielder seemed to be in excruciating pain as medics from both teams attended to him before he was stretched off the pitch in tears.
Iwobi was seen covering his face with his shirt while shedding tears in disappointment when he realized he couldn’t do much for his team in their eventual loss to the Red Devils.
The Toffees boss, Frank Lampard will be seriously worried as Iwobi’s injury looks like damage that will keep him out for an extended period.
With Lampard’s men fighting to avoid relegation from the Premier League, this is certainly not a good time for the coach’s favorite midfielder to be sidelined due to injury.
Meanwhile, in the words of talkSPORT commentator and former Chelsea midfielder Andy Townsend, Iwobi could be out for a long time following the “nasty injury” he picked as Andy described the chances of a rapid recovery as 50/50.
He said: “It’s a robust challenge from Malacia and what’s happened is Iwobi’s planted his foot down and rolled right over the top on his ankle.”
“It’s a painful one and he’s in some distress. It’s a nasty one and I sincerely hope he’s alright.”
“It’s a real 50/50 but he’s rolled his ankle, he’s done his ankle ligaments I think. Watching reruns of that I don’t like it, it’s a real shame.”
The state of Iwobi’s injury has not been announced yet but the midfielder and his club will be hoping that the damage is not so severe so that he can return to football action soon.
Let’s hope Iwobi makes it when Everton host Southampton in their Premier League clash next week Saturday, January 14.
The match will take place at Goodison Park, and the kick-off time is 4 pm.