Anthony Martial faces fitness battle for Manchester derby

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Anthony Martial was a surprise absentee from Manchester United’s squad to face Crystal Palace.

The Frenchman missed the game through injury and his fitness for Sunday’s game away at league leaders Manchester City is unclear.

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer spoke cautiously about whether he would be fit for the trip to The Etihad.

Solskjaer told Sky Sports: “Anthony he got a knock on his knee in training on Monday, and hopefully he will be back for the weekend but we are not sure.”

Martial scored last season in United’s 2-1 win at City, back in December 2019, and also netted in the 2-0 win over them a year ago last March.

His season has not been as productive this campaign. Martial has seven goals and won’t catch his tally of 23 from last season.

The good news of course is that Edinson Cavani made his return at Selhurst Park.

Solskjaer may have preferred to introduce the 34-year-old from the bench and then start him on Sunday at City, so Martial’s injury could have thrown his plans off.

Martial will have to prove his fitness in training, and the good news is that with the game being on Sunday, United have a little extra time for injured players to get fit.

Donny van de Beek also missed out on a place on the bench, with his fitness still short of what United are looking for, after a knock which kept him out of the Europa League ties against Real Sociedad.

March will be a busy month for United, with games against AC Milan, West Ham in the Premier League, and a FA Cup quarter-final with Leicester. United won’t want to be taking chances with anybody’s fitness.

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