Anthony Martial follows Manchester United teammate Paul Pogba in withdrawing from France squadA

Image result for martial and rashford

Manchester United forward Anthony Martial has withdrawn from the France squad for matches against Netherlands and Uruguay due to a groin injury.

Martial scored United’s only goal in a 3-1 defeat to rivals Manchester City from the penalty spot at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, but arrived at his country’s Clairefontaine training base carrying the groin problem and will not be risked by Didier Deschamps.

Paul Pogba had already been ruled out of France duty after missing the Manchester derby with a knock picked up during United’s dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Juventus in the Champions League.

Image result for martial and rashford
France have called up Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette and Tottenham midfielder Moussa Sissoko to replace Martial and Pogba.

Martial had been rewarded with a recall to the France squad earlier this week after scoring five goals in four Premier League appearances prior to his penalty strike against City.

Having taken seven points from their first three Uefa Nations League matches, France need only a draw with Netherlands in Rotterdam to confirm their place in the tournament finals.

Jose Mourinho will hope that Pogba and Martial both regain fitness in time to feature when United resume their Premier League campaign at home to Crystal Palace on 24 November.

Image result for martial and rashford

The 22 year old was not in the France squad that won the World Cup in Russia. He won the last of his 18 caps in a friendly away to the Russians in March.

“We’re still talking about a young player who, I hope, is in the process of gaining a certain maturity,” said Deschamps.

“That can be seen on the pitch, with the importance he’s taken on in recent weeks in Manchester, in the head of Jose Mourinho, and what he’s doing on the pitch.”

Deschamps acknowledged Martial’s struggles to maintain his best form in the past have held him back at times.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *