Manchester United have decided not to risk Anthony Martial in Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain so that he’s fit to start against Arsenal on Sunday. The Frenchman was ruled out of United’s trip to Paris by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after the club’s 3-2 win against Southampton on Saturday. Solskjaer, has admitted he does not expect their injury issues to clear in time, for their Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain. Solskjaer is set to be without 10 senior players in Paris on Wednesday, as United look to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg.
Ander Herrera, Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial, Phil Jones, Matteo Darmian and Antonio Valencia all missed the win over Southampton on Saturday. Alexis Sanchez limped off during the 3-2 victory at Old Trafford with suspected knee ligament damage, while Paul Pogba is suspended.
Asked whether he would be able to welcome players back into his squad ahead of the trip to France, Solskjaer told ESPN: “Not really, no. It doesn’t look like it. “I don’t think we can risk [Martial]. He has not been training yet so I don’t think so.”
The club originally hoped to have Martial back within a fortnight but he’s yet to resume training and the club’s medical staff have decided not to risk him in France. However, according to RMC, Martial could have featured against PSG but the club want to ensure he’s fit to face Arsenal on Sunday. United trail by two goals and need a minor miracle to overturn the deficit against a superior PSG side.
The club’s decision indicates Sunday’s clash at the Emirates is perhaps more important as United bid to finish in the top four. Just five points separate Tottenham in third and Chelsea in sixth, meaning United can ill-afford to slip-up given they have perhaps the most difficult run-in.