LONDON: Manchester United forward Anthony Martial has been ruled out until April following surgery on a groin injury, the Premier League giants announced Wednesday.
The 28-year-old, out of contract at the end of the season, has managed just two goals in 19 appearances during another frustrating campaign at Old Trafford.
Martial has been absent from United manager Erik ten Hag’s first team since United fans cheered his substitution in the 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth on December 9, with the club now announcing he faces a lengthy lay-off.
“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,” said a club statement.
“We wish Anthony a speedy recovery and look forward to his return.”
Martial made an encouraging start with United after joining from Monaco in 2015 but his career at Old Trafford has tailed off, with the Frenchman scoring 90 goals from 317 appearances in all competitions.
His absence leaves Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford as the only central striking options in Ten Hag’s senior squad.
But if the Dutch boss wants to add to his forward line-up during the January transfer window, he will need the approval of Jim Ratcliffe as the British billionaire prepares to take control of football operations as part of his minority ownership of United.
Manchester United’s Martial out for 10 weeks
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Manchester United’s Martial out for 10 weeks
- The 28-year-old has managed just two goals in 19 appearances during another frustrating campaign at Old Trafford “
- Manchester United striker Anthony Martial has completed successful surgery to address a groin complaint” said a club statement
Lens cruise into French Cup quarters, Endrick sends Lyon through
- Goals by Florian Sotoca and Andrija Bulatovic, as well as a Abdallah Sima brace, saw surprise Ligue 1 title contenders Lens through their last-16 tie
PARIS, France: Lens reached the quarter-finals of the French Cup on Wednesday courtesy of a 4-2 win over Troyes, while an Endrick-inspired Lyon fought past second-division Laval.
Goals by Florian Sotoca and Andrija Bulatovic, as well as a Abdallah Sima brace, saw surprise Ligue 1 title contenders Lens through their last-16 tie.
Martin Adeline had levelled before half-time for second flight leaders Troyes before three goals in eight minutes early in the second period put Pierre Sage’s side firmly in charge.
At home to Ligue 2 strugglers Laval, Lyon struggled to break down their opponents until a moment of individual excellence by Real Madrid loanee Endrick.
Following a surging run from midfielder Pavel Sulc, the 19-year-old Brazilian burst through a challenge before unleashing a rasping drive from the edge of the box to open the scoring in the 80th minute.
It was Endrick’s fifth goal in as many outings for Lyon since arriving from the Santiago Bernabeu in late December.
“It’s really important to have scored my first goal on our home turf. This start at Lyon is truly a dream come true,” the forward said.
Lyon wrapped up their 11th consecutive victory in all competitions when Laval ‘keeper Maxime Hautbois inadvertently turned Afonso Moreira’s effort into his own net late in added time.
Struggling Nice pulled off a remarkable comeback in their last-16 tie against Montpellier to win 3-2.
The hosts found themselves trailing 2-0 midway through the second half before Kail Boudache halved the deficit with 18 minutes remaining on the clock.
Antoine Mendy netted on 89 minutes and looked to have forced extra-time, until Sofiane Diop shaped a fine curling effort beyond Montpellier goalkeeper Mathieu Michel seven minutes into injury time.
Lorient saw off fellow Ligue 1 outfit Paris FC with a 2-0 win thanks to a second-half goal by Noah Cadiou and a late Moustapha Mbow own goal.
Toulouse beat Ligue 2 Amiens 1-0 with Yann Gboho netting the winner six minutes before the interval.
