The Frenchman has been out of action since the Reds’ 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth on December 9, following which he picked up a sickness bug that ruled him out of the subsequent seven matches.
Given his shoddy injury record, most supporters assumed that was the case this time around. Erik ten Hag also kept tight-lipped on Martial’s condition when pressed on the matter in pre-game conferences, which, at times, raised eyebrows at the player’s long absence.
Now, Mail’s report claims that the striker’s illness has left him with fitness levels too inadequate to feature in a competitive game, hence his continued omittance from the matchday squad.
Martial has been ordered by Ten Hag to train separately while he works his way back to the required level that the manager demands for United’s intense, high-demand sessions.
The 28-year-old’s contract expires in June and as it stands, the club have no intention of triggering a one-year extension or keeping him beyond the summer.
