Anthony Martial’s agent has spoken to Sky Sports News to directly rebuff claims about the forward’s condition.
On Wednesday evening, reports circulated claiming that the Manchester United star had been banished from first-team training by Erik ten Hag and ordered to train alone. He was said to be below match fitness after suffering from a sickness bug since the team’s 3-0 loss to Bournemouth on December 9.
When pressed on the matter in pre-match conferences, Ten Hag kept somewhat tight-lipped on the player’s extended absence. Other members of the squad have also suffered from illness this season but returned within one or two weeks, though of course, it’s dependent on each case.
Martial’s agent sets the record straight
Now, his representative Philippe Lamboley has denied that Martial is training solely due to the manager’s demands, and instead clarified that he is injured with a hip abductor issue which requires surgery.
Sky Sports relayed the comments, adding: “What is said about him [Martial] is completely false. He was not excluded from the group and has no problem with the coach Erik ten Hag. Anthony has been in Manchester for nine seasons and if he was not a great professional, then he would not have been at the club for so long. He is simply going to undergo a small operation on his abductors, which he should’ve done for a while and which did not allow him to be 100%, so he will do it now.”
BREAKING: Anthony Martial's agent has denied reports the Manchester United striker has been told to train alone because he is not fit 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/gSZdFjbZ0i
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 18, 2024
Footage courtesy of Sky Sports News.
