Anthony Martial injury: Manchester United striker drops out of FA Cup final with thigh tear
The Frenchman suffered a hamstring injury after coming on as a substitute in the second half of Sunday’s most recent Premier League win against Fulham.
United have now confirmed that Martial has been diagnosed with a muscle tear following further tests, ruling him out for Saturday’s big clash with triple-chasing City at Wembley.
With recent reports suggesting renewed doubts about the 27-year-old’s long-term future at Old Trafford, this latest injury setback raises the possibility he could have played his last game for the club.
Martial has been at United for eight years, joining from Monaco in the summer of 2015 in a £36million deal that earned him the title of most expensive teenager in football history at the time.
Out of action: Anthony Martial will not feature for Manchester United in the FA Cup final
/ Manchester United via Getty ImagesHe scored 88 goals in 298 appearances for the Red Devils in all competitions but often struggled for consistency, despite flashing brilliance and excellent form and being plagued by injuries in recent years.
Martial has scored just nine goals in 29 appearances this season, making just 11 starts in the top flight due to a combination of hip, hamstring, back and Achilles problems.
He is about to start the last year of his contract and an extension has not yet been agreed. United are aiming for a strong attacking reinforcement this summer, with England captain Harry Kane at Tottenham in mind.
Coach Erik ten Hag is hoping Antony will be fit for the FA Cup final against City after the Brazil winger had to be carried off with an ankle injury in Thursday’s 4-1 win over Chelsea.
However, key centre-back Lisandro Martinez remains absent for an extended period, and the likes of midfield duo Marcel Sabitzer and Donny van de Beek are also absent.
Premier League champions City would secure the double if they beat their cross-city rivals this weekend as Istanbul hosts only the Champions League final on June 10 against Inter Milan to battle with United’s famous treble winners Competing in 1999 while Ten Hag seeks another Wembley triumph after the club ended a six-year trophy drought in February’s Carabao Cup final against Newcastle.
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/anthony-martial-injury-man-utd-fa-cup-final-b1084618.html Anthony Martial injury: Manchester United striker drops out of FA Cup final with thigh tear
