Man Utd handed blow for Spurs clash as Solskjaer forced to change tack

Manchester United forward Anthony Martial has been ruled out of Wednesday’s clash with Tottenham due to injury, according to reports.

The Frenchman has been a key player for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side since his return from a hamstring injury in October, chipping in with a goal and two assists since his comeback.

United have been struggling of late, with a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa on Sunday confirming the club’s worst start to a league campaign in 31 years.

Wednesday’s test against a resurgent Spurs side under Jose Mourinho would have been tough for the Red Devils with a full team but according to Sky Sports News, Solskjaer will now be without Martial in a blow to his plans for the clash.

The source says that the attacker – who was substituted after 82 minutes against Villa and went straight down the tunnel – is fighting a losing battle to overcome a muscle problem and be fit for Wednesday’s tie.

It is claimed that in response, Solskjaer will now go with a formation featuring three defenders at the back, a system which has brought both success and failure so far this term for United.

The Red Devils were solid for the best part of a 1-1 draw with Liverpool in October using that system but went 2-0 down to Sheffield United last month with  Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Phil Jones in the trio on that day.

Elsewhere, pundit Jamie O’Hara has claimed that Martial and strike partners Marcus Rashford and Daniel James have stopped playing for Solskjaer as pressure mounts over the manager’s future at Old Trafford.

He told Sky Sports’ The Debate: “I watched the Sheffield United game the other night and I know they got back into it, but the front three were a joke. I mean they were a joke. They didn’t move, they didn’t run for the first 45 minutes.

“It was only when the Sheffield United forward [Lys Mousset] came off that they got back in the game. For me I’m looking at Rashford, Martial, Daniel James and I’m thinking ‘are you really working for this guy? Are you really putting everything in for him?’

“For me it doesn’t look like that. I think if [Mauricio] Pochettino comes in then you’ll see different.”

Another report has claimed that Solskjaer has told his players that he fears he could be sacked if United lose to Spurs.