Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has this evening confirmed that Anthony Martial’s absence for the club’s meeting with Club Brugge has come as a result of injury.
United on top
The Red Devils are currently locked in action with Belgian giants Brugge at Old Trafford, in a Europa League last-32 tie.
The first-leg between the clubs last week eventually saw the shares spoiled, in an evenly-contested affair.
After Emmanuel Bonaventure fired Brugge into the lead with a quarter of an hour gone, Anthony Martial levelled things up 10 minutes before half-time, leaving the tie on a knife-edge ahead of tonight’s second-leg.
The opening half-hour+ minutes in Manchester, though, has seen hosts United take firm control of the tie.
A moment of madness from Simon Deli with 20 minutes on the clock saw the Brugge stopper given his marching orders, before Bruno Fernandes stepped up to slot away the ensuing spot-kick in style.
And the hosts soon doubled their lead, as a slick piece of football eventually saw Juan Mata pull back for Odion Ighalo to open his account in the colours of United in the 34th minute.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 27: Odion Ighalo of Manchester United celebrates scoring their second goal during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Manchester United and Club Brugge at Old Trafford on February 27, 2020 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Scott McTominay then went on to put the result beyond any doubt shortly before the half-time whistle, with a fine finish from the edge of the box.
Martial blow
An otherwise positive evening thus far for the Red Devils, however, was actually dampened somewhat ahead of kick-off.
Upon the matchday squad of the Manchester giants being announced, one of the club’s key performers was nowhere to be seen:
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The individual in question was Anthony Martial.
French attacker Martial has been in fine form of late, having notched a goal in each of his last 3 appearances.
However, when drawn on the former Monaco man’s absence in a pre-match interview, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed that Martial picked up an injury in training yesterday, with it as of now unclear how long he is set to be sidelined for.
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