Manchester United have suffered another massive injury setback, with Anthony Martial pulling up prior to their Europa League clash with FC Midtjylland this evening.
The French striker reportedly sustained a hamstring injury in the warm-up at Old Trafford and had to be withdrawn from Louis van Gaal’s starting XI at the last minute.
Van Gaal will be experiencing a sense of Deja Vu after watching another of his key players – goalkeeper David de Gea – pick up a knock before kick-off in Scandinavia.
SEE MORE: Video: David de Gea picks up injury ahead of Manchester United’s Europa League clash
With captain Wayne Rooney, Marouane Fellaini and Will Keane all also sidelined, 18-year-old forward Marcus Rashford has been promoted to the lineup for his debut.
PIC: Young striker Marcus Rashford is making his #mufc debut tonight. pic.twitter.com/xaXBSVxNaF
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 25, 2016
The Red Devils must score tonight to have any chance of progressing to the last 16 of the competition, having surprisingly lost last week’s first leg 2-1 in Denmark.
With so many crocked attackers, the pressure is on the likes of Juan Mata and Memphis Depay, who was on the scoresheet in the reverse fixture, to be United’s saviour.
Van Gaal’s injury problems stretch way beyond the forward positions. Defenders Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Luke Shaw and Matteo Darmian are all in the treatment room.
Midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger, Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia and Adnan Januzaj complete a 13-strong injury list which will have Van Gaal cursing his luck.
The Dutchman, coming under increasing pressure for his job, could be without an XI of full internationals for United’s league visit of Arsenal this weekend.
SEE ALSO:
Man United injured XI: Team of full internationals stronger than one fielded v FC Midtjylland
Watch Manchester Utd v FC Midtjylland: Europa League Live Stream Live From Old Trafford
Manchester United could be without medial ligament victim for another month