Anthony Martial’s representative has rubbished claims that the Manchester United forward has been frozen out by manager Erik ten Hag.

The Frenchman has not played for the Red Devils since early December, and there were rumours that ten Hag was unhappy with the Frenchman’s fitness levels, leading to him training away from the main squad. However, his agent Philippe Lamboley has rejected those assertions:

“What is said about him is completely false. He was not excluded from the group and he has no problem with the coach. Anthony has been in Manchester for nine seasons and if he was not a great professional then he would not have been at the club for so long.”

Lamboley has explained the real reason behind Martial’s absence; the 28-year-old needs surgery on a thigh injury:

“He is simply going to undergo a small operation on his adductors, which he should have done for a while and which did not allow him to be 100 percent, so he will do it now.”

Will Martial leave United in January?

Lamboley has confirmed that the Frenchman won’t depart Old Trafford before the end of the season. The fact that he is injured means a transfer this month was off the cards anyway, but it has now been confirmed that the player will run down his contract.

While United do have an option to extend Martial’s stay for another 12 months, that is unlikely to happen due to his fitness issues and poor form.

Are United planning to replace Martial?

The club are said to be exploring short-term solutions. There have been reports that United could pursue Bayern Munich’s Eric Choupo-Moting but there is nothing advanced on that front.

Both Borussia Dortmund’s Donyell Malen and Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy have also been considered as potential targets for January. In terms of the summer, Ajax’s Brian Brobbey remains a priority for ten Hag.