FA Cup
Apr 23, 2023 4.30pm
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ET Wembley Stadium

Anthony Martial pictured with Manchester United squad ahead of FA Cup semi-final

Anthony Martial pictured with Man United squad ahead of FA Cup semi-final

Manchester United striker Anthony Martial has been pictured with the squad ahead of Sunday's FA Cup semi-final with Brighton & Hove Albion after coming off injured against Sevilla.

Having recovered from a hip problem that had been plaguing him for several weeks, Martial was promoted back into the starting XI as Wout Weghorst flattered to deceive.

The Frenchman was chosen to lead the line against former club Sevilla in Thursday's Europa League quarter-final second leg, but he lasted just 54 minutes before limping off the field.

Erik ten Hag's side fell to a humbling 3-0 loss in Seville after Martial came off - going out 5-2 on aggregate - and concern soon turned to another potential layoff for the luckless striker.

An official update on Martial's condition is yet to be released, but the former Monaco starlet was seen out and about with the rest of the Red Devils' squad on Saturday in preparation for the encounter.

A video posted on social media shows Martial walking close by Man United staff in his training gear, although he appeared to be treading with a slight limp.

It remains to be seen if the 27-year-old will be given the green light to line up at Wembley, where Ten Hag will already be working without a host of players through injury or suspension.

As well as his troublesome hip problem, Martial's season has also been hampered by Achilles, back and hamstring injuries, restricting him to just 20 appearances in all tournaments.

The France international has posted seven goals and three assists for the Red Devils in that time, and his only FA Cup appearance so far this term came in January's third-round win over Everton.

Should Martial not be given the green light to lead the line at Wembley, either Weghorst or Marcus Rashford could be deployed centrally, but the biggest predicament for Ten Hag comes in the heart of defence.

First-choice centre-backs Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane are consigned to the treatment table, while Harry Maguire must serve a suspension for an accumulation of bookings.

With Phil Jones also not being considered for selection due to his long-standing knee issues, Victor Lindelof is the only recognised centre-half available for the Red Devils at Wembley.

Luke Shaw is the likeliest candidate to fill in, but the Englishman was moving gingerly towards the end of Thursday's game too, having only just come back from a hamstring problem.

Tom Heaton and Alejandro Garnacho also remain sidelined with ankle injuries alongside Donny van de Beek and his season-ending knee concern, while Scott McTominay is nursing a knock that will need assessing in the coming hours.

Victory over Brighton would see Man United reach a joint-high 21 FA Cup finals - matching the record set by Arsenal - but the Red Devils have lost their last two games against the Seagulls.

POLL
Who will win Sunday's FA Cup clash between Brighton and Man Utd?
Brighton & Hove Albion 48%
Draw 10%
Manchester United 42%
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