Anthony Martial's agent hits out at 'false' training reports and reveals real reason Man Utd star is missing

Anthony Martial's representative has hit back after claims the Manchester United star has been made to train alone.

It had been claimed earlier this week the striker had been told to train alone to improve his fitness.

Mail Sport reported that Martial had not trained with his team-mates since picking up a sickness bug last month, which prevented him playing in a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth.

It has been alleged that the 28-year-old is not currently suffering from injury, but that he has yet to regain sufficient fitness following last month’s illness.

However, the Frenchman's agent has vehemently denied the claims, insisting that Martial has in fact undergone a minor surgery on a hip issue..

Speaking to Sky Sports News Philippe Lamboley said: "What is said about him is completely false. He was not excluded from the group and he has no problem with the coach.

"He is simply going to undergo a small operation on his adductors."

The Mail had alleged that while Martial was not being disciplined by his manager, he was not deemed to be fit enough to work with the first-team group given the intensity and work-rate the Dutchman demands from his players in training.

Several United players are said to have suffered from a sickness bug last month including Marcus Rashford, who missed United's Champions League group stage game against Bayern Munich.

While individual training for players returning from injury is standard practice at United, the Mail added that the time it had taken for Martial to regain fitness had "raised eyebrows".

The attacker is out of contract at Old Trafford at the end of the season and expected to leave on a free transfer, having not yet been offered a new deal.

United would reportedly listen to offers for Martial during the current window given off-loading the player's £250,000-a-week wages would give them greater scope to sign players whilst complying with the Premier League's FFP rules.

The player, however, is believed to want to stay and fight for his place.

Topics: Football, Manchester United, Anthony Martial, Erik Ten Hag, Premier League

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.