Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed that forward Anthony Martial will be injured ‘for a little while’ after the Frenchman limped off in the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon – putting him at risk of missing the Manchester derby on Saturday.
Martial had started five consecutive matches for Man Utd following a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, but the 23-year-old then suffered a fresh muscular problem against Villa, and had to be substituted late in the game.
The former Paris Saint-Germain star is a key figure in Solskjaer’s side, and whilst speaking before Man Utd’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur, the Norwegian boss confirmed Martial’s injury woes, as reported by The Mirror.
“Anthony got a slight injury on Sunday so he’ll be out for a little while,” said Solskjaer.
These fresh injury issues will cause serious concern for Man Utd supporters, whose side may have to face fierce rivals City without their star forward in the upcoming clash at the Etihad Stadium.
Martial missed the Red Devils’ 2-1 victory over José Mourinho’s Spurs on Wednesday evening, and it’s likely that he’ll be absent for this weekend’s crunch derby. The France international has impressed for his side this season, bagging three goals in nine appearances, and he has struck up an exciting partnership with Marcus Rashford.
Rashford excelled in Martial’s absence on Wednesday night, bagging both goals as Solskjaer was able to defeat his predecessor Mourinho. The victory lifted Man Utd into sixth place, eight points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.
Youth academy product Mason Greenwood led the line against Spurs, and the 18-year-old is in contention to start against Pep Guardiola’s side at the weekend. Solskjaer urged Greenwood to take his chance in the starting eleven, after biding his time in cup competitions.
“That’s what he’s been hoping for, waiting for, working hard, taking his chances in the Europa League and the Carabao Cup, he’s played really well.”