Man Utd confirm attacker set to miss around 10 weeks after undergoing surgery

Manchester United have announced Anthony Martial will be out for around 10 weeks following successful surgery on a groin complaint.

The striker has not played for the club since a 3-0 loss to Bournemouth on 9 December, with Erik ten Hag initially citing illness as the reason the player was not involved for several weeks. The United boss then claimed Martial was ‘not fit’ to feature in the 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur two weeks ago, with the player watching from the stands at Old Trafford.

But the player looks set to be out until around early April following an operation, United confirmed in a short statement on Wednesday afternoon: "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 spell on the sidelines means United have just one fit, recognised option in the centre-forward role, in Rasmus Hojlund. The Red Devils have been linked with a move for several strikers this window and would be interested in bringing in additional cover up front if a financially viable deal can be found. That would most likely come in the form of a short-term loan.

As for Martial, the injury means he could have just a handful of appearances left in a United shirt. The player’s contract expires at the end of the season and it’s unlikely the club will opt to renew his deal.

The news comes less than a week after the 28-year-old's agent publicly denied claims he has been frozen out the squad by Ten Hag: "What is said about him is completely false," Phillipe Lamboley told Sky Sports.

"He was not excluded from the group and he has no problem with [Erik ten Hag]. 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."

Martial has made 19 appearances this season and has scored only two goals. His fitness was an issue during the 2022/23 campaign where five different injuries limited him to only 17 starts in all competitions.

Remarkably, Martial had been included in every matchday squad prior to the 1-0 loss against Bayern Munich, which came three days after the Bournemouth defeat. But the current absence from the side has seen the Frenchman miss seven matches.