The games are now coming thick and fast for Manchester United, though Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s task isn’t being made any easier due to an injury crisis decimating the squad.
To highlight that, Axel Tuanzebe made his first Premier League start of the season as a left-back (despite being a natural, right-footed centre-back), and right until kick-off time, it was touch and go as to whether Marcus Rashford would lead the line (our only other option was Mason Greenwood).
Another player who has been out for a lengthy period of time is Anthony Martial. At first, it felt like a one or two-week injury, but he’s now been out for five weeks.
The Baby Faced Assassin was asked about whether the Frenchman will be available for United’s Europa League clash on Thursday. Unfortunately, Solskjaer confirmed the injury blow, with the key attacker set to miss the AZ Alkmaar game; though he has a chance at featuring against Newcastle United at the weekend…
“Maybe the weekend [against Newcastle United, he will be back] but if not, after the weekend. Definitely not Thursday,” Solskjaer said, per ManUtd.com.
Without Martial, this United attack just isn’t deadly enough. There was a moment against Arsenal when Rashford was bearing down on goal and you just never felt like the Englishman was going to score. Heck, it was even a struggle to get a shot off…
Martial brings some clinical finishing and quality to the front line, and perhaps we’d have a better goal-record and points tally if he didn’t get injured.
The sooner he’s back, the better. Honestly, even if he was fit for the Europa League away game against Alkmaar I probably wouldn’t risk him. Even if Martial can make the bench against Newcastle on Sunday, that’ll be a major boost for Ole and his squad.
Be the first to comment