Manchester United face late transfer scramble to bring in a new striker with links to Karim Benzema and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting strengthening as Anthony Martial is ruled out for 10 weeks

Manchester United face a late transfer scramble after Anthony Martial was ruled out of action for 10 weeks after undergoing surgery on a groin injury – meaning that he could have played his last game for the club. 

Mail Sport revealed last week that the Frenchman had been told to train on his own to improve his fitness before he would be selected by manager Erik ten Hag.

Martial though has been complaining about a groin issue, which United have confirmed that he has had surgery on in a bid to resolve the issue.

The Red Devils in a statement confirmed he will miss 10 weeks – which means he might not be available until the start of April.

However, with his contract expiring at the end of the season, and the Frenchman already falling out-of-favour at Old Trafford, there’s a strong possibility that he has played his final game for the Red Devils. 

Martial could have played his last game for the club with his contract expiring this summer 

United now face a late scramble to bring in a striker before the January window closes

The video shows a number of people storming into a building, which is claimed to be Chinese fans going into Al-Nassr’s hotel to ‘express their disappointment over Ronaldo’s inability to participate in the friendly’.

It comes as a blow to Erik ten Hag’s side who have struggled up front this season – with Martial, Marcus Rashford and summer signing Rasmus Hojlund scoring just seven league goals between them so far this campaign. 

The Red Devils have been linked with short-term moves for both Karim Benzema and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting during the January window. 

The Red Devils have been put on alert by former Ballon d’Or winner Benzema due to his struggles at Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad.

Benzema is reportedly unhappy at the club, while his current employers were incensed after expecting him to report back on January 2 ahead of the side’s mid-season training camp.  

A source close to the club told France 24 that they had been unable to reach him for 10 days.

According to Marca, as a result, Benzema has been omitted from the trip to Dubai by manager Marcelo Gallardo and continues to gear up for the league’s resumption on February 7 on his own.

The outlet claim that the 36-year-old had insisted that his tardiness was due to a cyclone that hit the island of Mauritius where he had been holidaying.

Despite reports suggesting that Benzema has asked to ‘temporarily’ leave the Saudi giants, the Frenchman is said to have denied those claims. 

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Karim Benzema have both been linked with moves to Old Trafford

There were high expectations for Martial after his debut goal against Liverpool back in 2015

According to L’Equipe, a relative to Benzema said: ‘It’s false, these are media inventions because Karim doesn’t train with the team. 

The outlet claim that Benzema himself said: ‘This is completely false!’ The media no longer knows what to invent’.

Benzema’s relative then, reportedly, continued: ‘The bigger the better. In fact, Karim wants valuable recruitments, he wants players of his calibre’.

Choupo-Moting of Bayern Munich is also reportedly among the players on the club’s shortlist on a potential short term basis.

The former Stoke forward’s chances of securing a regular role at Bayern took a major dent with the arrival of Harry Kane from Tottenham last summer.  

Martial though has struggled to live up to expectations and has struggled for goals, fitness and consistent form over the past four seasons

Martial signed for United from Monaco in the summer of 2015 for a £36m fee, and quickly generated excitement after his famous first goal for the club against rivals Liverpool. 

However, after hitting 23 goals in all competitions in the 2019-20 season, his form has declined with just 19 goals in 95 appearances for the Red Devils.

He was loaned out to Sevilla in the 2021-22 season and has been linked with a permanent exit from Old Trafford for a number of seasons.

His exit looks almost certain this summer once his contract reaches its expiration date.