Why Anthony Martial has been left out of Manchester United’s squad to face Leeds in pre-season friendly
Posted by  badge Boss on Jul 11, 2023 - 09:16PM
Anthony Martial is another three weeks away from fitness (Photo by David Horton – CameraSport via Getty Images)

forward Anthony Martial was a notable absentee in the squad named for his side’s first friendly of the summer against .

The Red Devils take on their Yorkshire rivals in Oslo on Wednesday, in the first of eight pre-season friendlies that Ten Hag has organised.

A host of United players that were not involved in post-season internationals returned to training last week.

That included the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Martial was another senior member that returned but he was omitted from a named squad to travel to Norway.

Naturally, that fueled speculation about Martial’s future as Ten Hag is believed to be open to offers for the Frenchman.

Marital struggled with injuries last term (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images)

But Martial’s absence from the squad is due to the fact that he still hasn’t recovered from a hamstring strain that kept him out of June’s FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City.

Martial last featured against Fulham on the 28th May.

He was then ruled out of the Wembley showdown against City, with United refusing to put a timeline on his return.

Martial’s injury was said to be severe, and he’s unlikely to return to full fitness for another three weeks.

Donny van de Beek was another absentee from the squad but the Dutchman is on an individual training programme following his return from a knee injury.

Dean Henderson will not be involved as he recovers from a thigh injury.

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