Deschamps 1 Solskjaer 0, as Man Utd man returns to training

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer TEAMtalk

Anthony Martial has returned to training and could play in the remaining four Premier League games and the Europa League final if Manchester United get there.

The France forward has not played for United since the 3-1 FA Cup defeat by Leicester City in March. Martial then went on international duty and limped off in France’s 2-0 win over Kazakhstan at the end of March. He has been sidelined ever since with a knee problem. An injury which Ole Gunnar Solskajer said may keep him out all season.

“Losing Anthony for what might be the rest of the season is very disappointing, especially when reports from there [France] was that it wasn’t anything serious but it looks a bad one,” said the Norwegian.

Prior to that France boss Didier Deschamps played down the injury at a press conference.

“Anthony has a small issue on his knee. Nothing is decided yet [as to whether he can face Bosnia-Herzegovina].

“He won’t be taking part in the training session a bit later. We’ll see tomorrow (Wednesday). Anything serious has been dismissed.”

L’Equipe via Sport Witness on Tuesday explained the 25-year-old resumed training at Carrington on Monday.

The French outlet make it clear that Martial will not be fit enough to make the squad against Roma on Thursday. But they suggest he could make the remaining Premier League fixtures and the Europa League final on May 26 in Gdansk.

L’Equipe goes on to say that either Martial has managed a superhuman recovery via United’s staff “working miracles” or Solskjaer got it wrong. And the “calmness of the national team’s was not so unfounded”.


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More Utd protests planned

Meanwhile, Manchester United players offered to leave the team hotel and speak to anti-Glazer protesters on Sunday.

The Times  also reports that “further attacks” on the club are planned after fans successfully stopped the weekend’s crucial Old Trafford clash with Liverpool going ahead. Hundreds of fans managed to get into the ground and protested on the pitch, while the team’s hotel was surrounded.

United’s players were forbidden from going outside the Lowry Hotel. Some had “offered to leave the hotel to speak to the protesters”. The paper though says United’ security team vetoed the idea.

United’s fans planned the mass demonstration to protest against the Glazer’s ownership and their intention to take part in the European Super League. As many as 10,000 fans are understood to have been present on Sunday. And there are plans to make further demonstrations this month.

“It is understood that planning for more demonstrations is already under way. United’s next home game against Leicester on May 12 and the replay of the Liverpool match potential targets,” reads The Times.

READ MORE: Glazer family issued Harry Kane transfer challenge amid Man Utd protests