Manchester United will play the season opener against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday without their in-form attacker due to injury, The Athletic report.
Manchester United would not count on the services of Anthony Martial for the clash against Brighton due to a hamstring injury he sustained just days before the Premier League curtain-raiser against Graham Potter’s men.
Martial spent last season at Sevilla during the winter but after a few games with the La Liga outfit, he sustained an injury in the match against Real Madrid which marred his time in Spain and at the end of the season he returned to Manchester United.
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The former AS Monaco star has been in tremendous form for Manchester United in their pre-season games and he has won the heart of Red Devil’s new manager Erik ten Hag.
Martial has been reported to be a starter in Ten Hag’s team but with the injury, the 26-year-old will have to settle for a place on the treatment table after a minor hamstring problem.
The attacker sustained the injury in the 1-0 defeat against Atletico Madrid in their friendly match and the date of his return is yet to be communicated.
Martial could miss the Manchester United second match against Brentford as well and if he regains his match sharpness and fitness on time he could feature against Liverpool.
Ten Hag will be forced to give Cristiano Ronaldo a starting role, the future of the Portuguese forward is yet to be resolved with the former Real Madrid ace wanting a move out of Old Trafford with Manchester United yet to receive any suitable offers while they are also keen on keeping him.
Ronaldo only played just 45 minutes of the club’s pre-season games against Rayo Vallecano, his fitness level might not be at par with his fellow teammates and he could be given the nod to start against the Seagulls at Old Trafford.
Brighton defeated Manchester United 4-0 in their last meeting at Amex Stadium, the Red Devils will be on a revenge mission under their new manager.
