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Anthony Martial has been told to train on his own to improve his fitness before Erik Ten Hag will consider picking him for Manchester United.
Mail Sport has learned that Martial has not trained with his team-mates since picking up a sickness bug last month, which has prevented the Frenchman from playing since United’s 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth on 9 December.
Ten Hag has given little away when asked about Martial in recent weeks, saying only that he was not fit ahead of last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham. It is understood that the 28-year-old is not currently suffering from injury however, but that he has yet to regain sufficient fitness following last month’s illness.
Ten Hag’s decision for Martial to train on his own is not a disciplinary matter, but reflects his belief in individual training for players lacking match fitness.
Martial is currently not deemed to be fit enough to work with the first-team group at present given the intensity and work-rate the manager demands from his players in training.
A number of United players suffered from a sickness bug last month. Marcus Rashford missed United’s final Champions League group game against Bayern Munich after being struck with the Norovirus, but returned a few days later to play in the goal-less draw against Liverpool.
Individual training for players returning from injury is standard practice at United, but the length of time it is taking Martial to regain fitness has raised eyebrows.
Martial is out of contract at Old Trafford at the end of the season and is expected to leave on a free transfer, as he has not been offered a new deal.
United would listen to offers for Martial during the current window as off-loading his £250,000-a-week wages would give them greater scope to sign players whilst complying with Premier League spending rules, but the player is believed to want to stay and fight for his place.
Martial has failed to live up to his potential since he became the most expensive teenager in the Premier League when United paid Monaco £36million for him nine years ago, but has still scored 63 league goals 149 starts.
Given this ability Ten Hag regards Martial as an important member of his squad, as shown by the fact that he has made 19 appearances this season, so is eager to have him available for selection as soon as possible.
United declined to comment.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
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