Erik ten Hag confirms Manchester United striker won’t be available against Tottenham

One player we know will not be in action this weekend against Tottenham is striker Anthony Martial.

The Frenchman has been unavailable for weeks due to illness issues, but the manager was pressed on the matter at Friday’s press conference and gave a telling response to reporters.

When asked about Martial’s fitness ahead of the meeting with Tottenham, Ten Hag said (via Manchester Evening News): “He is not fit he is not okay.

“We have to make him fit and it is his job as well to get ready for the next game but in this moment he is having medical treatment and he has to recover.”

There has been speculation among supporters in recent weeks that there was more to Martial’s absence than illness, but the manager rarely gives specific details when a player is ruled out.

After several weeks out of action, it’s understandable that Martial is not up to pace with everyone else in the squad and he has missed a lot of football over the past two years. His lack of availability and goal contributions has been an issue ever since Ten Hag took charge.

United will be in the market for a new striker in the summer and it is expected that Martial will run his contract down at the end of the season, opting against a move away in January.

The Reds are set to make a huge loss on Martial but, as one of the club’s highest earners, he’s not going to leave for the next few months if he not going to get anywhere near the same move elsewhere. It will also allow his next club to sign him on a free transfer – which is a slap in the face to United whatever way you look at his situation at Old Trafford.

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