Anthony Martial still absent for Manchester United amid exit reports

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Anthony Martial will again be missing for Saturday's Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest.

The 28-year-old has missed Man United's last four matches in all competitions through illness, with his last appearance coming against Bournemouth on December 9.

Martial had been expected to recover for the team's final match of 2023, but Ten Hag said during his press conference on Friday that the forward was still unwell.

"Yeah, so he's unwell. He's not available," the manager told reporters when questioned on the three-week illness for the Frenchman.

Martial has featured on 19 occasions for the 20-time English champions during the 2023-24 campaign, but he has only managed two goals and two assists.

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The forward has one goal and one assist in 13 Premier League appearances, and there is currently widespread speculation surrounding his future at Old Trafford.

Martial's contract is due to expire next summer, and while Man United have the option to extend it for a further 12 months, it is understood that will not be the case.

As a result, the former Monaco youngster is set to leave Old Trafford in 2024, and there have been claims that he could depart during the winter transfer window.

Inter Milan are currently being linked with Martial, while it is understood that a number of Saudi Pro League clubs are keeping a close eye on his situation in Manchester.

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Martial made the move to Man United from Monaco in September 2015, and he has represented the club on 317 occasions, scoring 90 goals and registering 55 assists in the process.

The Frenchman has suffered with a number of fitness issues during Ten Hag's time as head coach, though, and he is now seemingly set to depart in the near future.

A January exit for Martial would leave Rasmus Hojlund as the team's only senior centre-forward, but the club are believed to be keen to add a striker during the January market.

Hojlund scored his first Premier League goal for the Red Devils in the 3-2 success over Aston Villa last time out, taking him onto six goals for the campaign, having also struck five times in the group stage of the Champions League.