Man Utd striker crisis worsens as Anthony Martial is ‘ruled out for ten weeks with groin injury’

ANTHONY MARTIAL has been ruled out for ten weeks after undergoing groin surgery.

The Manchester United forward has struggled to make an impact this season amid fitness concerns.

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Anthony Martial has scored just one goal this seasonCredit: Alamy

Martial, 28, has started just five Premier League matches this term.

He has missed his side’s last five Prem games with an illness, and is now set for a lengthy further spell on the sidelines.

In a statement released this afternoon, Man Utd confirmed that Martial has now gone under the knife.

It read: “Manchester United striker Anthony Martial has completed successful surgery to address a groin complaint and will be out of action for about 10 weeks as he rehabilitates.

“We wish Anthony a speedy recovery and look forward to his return.”

The 30-cap French international’s Man Utd contract is set to expire at the end of this season.

Red Devils chiefs possess an option to extend the deal by a further 12 months, should they wish.

The Athletic claimed last month, however, that United have no intentions of doing so.

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United have struggled for goals this season, finding the net just 24 times in the Premier League to make them the lowest scorers in the top ten.

Martial has managed to score just once in 13 Prem outings this season, but he is not the only United star that has been wasteful in front of goal.

Marcus Rashford has four in 20 Prem appearances, while £72million summer signing Rasmus Hojlund has two in 16 league outings.

Martial joined Man Utd in a £58m switch from Monaco in 2015.

He has appeared 317 times for the club, scoring 90 goals and laying on 55 assists.

Having fallen out of favour he joined Sevilla on loan during the second half of the 2021-22 campaign.

The following season he returned to the United set-up under Erik ten Hag, but has had an underwhelming year-and-a-half under the Dutchman.

Martial’s agent Philippe Lamboley recently denied claims that his client had been exiled from Man Utd training.

He said last week: “Anthony will not leave Manchester United and will stay until his contract ends in June.

“What is said about him is completely false.

“He was not excluded from the group and he has no problem with the coach.

“Anthony has been in Manchester for nine seasons and if he was not a great professional then he would not have been at the club for so long.

“He is simply going to undergo a small operation on his adductors, which he should have done for a while and which did not allow him to be 100 per cent, so he will do it now.”

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