This would be a blow.
Anthony Martial is a doubt for Manchester United ahead of their Monday night clash with Stoke City. The Frenchman picked up an unspecified injury during the club’s warm weather training camp in Dubai last week.
The development has cast doubt over whether the 22-year-old will be involved for the visit of the Potters. Jose Mourinho said he remained hopeful that Martial will play. The former Monaco man has been linked with a move to Arsenal as the Gunners explore the possibility of signing him with Alexis Sanchez poised to sign for Mourinho’s men.
According to The Evening Standard, Martial has come up in discussions between Arsenal and United. The Gunners are also thought to be weighing up out-of-favour playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan as an option.
Arsène Wenger wants to explore the possibility of taking Anthony Martial to Arsenal as part of the deal that would see Alexis Sanchez move to Manchester United. [@JamesOlley] #afc pic.twitter.com/SuRcNGWLnL
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) January 15, 2018
On a more positive note, Antonio Valencia is set to make his return from injury after completing the training camp in Dubai. The 32-year-old Ecuadorian has not featured since suffering a hamstring injury against West Brom on December 17th.
Although Valencia’s return will be a welcome boost for Mourinho, potentially losing Martial has come at a bad time. The forward impressed for United against Everton on New Year’s Day in the lone striker role, which included scoring the opener.
Mourinho is set to welcome Romelu Lukaku back to the starting line-up. The Belgian striker came on as a second-half substitute in the FA Cup third-round victory over Derby County after missing the Everton game through a head injury.
