Anthony Martial, the Manchester United attacker, has been advised to undergo individual workout sessions before manager Erik ten Hag considers selecting him for the team. Martial has been absent from training with his teammates since falling ill last month, resulting in his inability to play since December 9th when Manchester United suffered a 3-0 home defeat against Bournemouth.

Ten Hag has been tight-lipped about Martial’s situation in recent weeks, only mentioning that the player was not fit for the team’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham last weekend. It is believed that the 28-year-old is currently not injured but is still recovering from his illness last month.

The decision to have Martial train alone is not intended as a punishment but rather reflects Ten Hag’s belief that players who are not match-fit should engage in individual training. Given the intense training demands set by the manager, Martial is currently deemed not fit enough to join the first team.

Last month, several United players fell sick, with Marcus Rashford missing the Champions League game against Bayern Munich due to the Norovirus. He returned a few days later to participate in the goalless draw against Liverpool. While injured players usually receive one-on-one training, Martial’s extended recovery period has sparked discussions.

Martial’s contract with Manchester United is set to expire at the end of the season, and as he has not been offered a new deal, he is likely to leave on a free transfer. The club may consider offers for Martial during the current transfer window to free up his significant £250,000-a-week salary and allow for additional signings while adhering to Premier League spending regulations. However, the player is believed to have a desire to stay and compete for his place in the team.

Since his £36 million move from Monaco nine years ago, Martial has not fully lived up to his potential, despite being the most expensive teenager in Premier League history. He has scored 63 league goals in 149 starts.

Ten Hag recognizes Martial’s importance to the team due to his skill set, as evidenced by his 19 appearances this season. Therefore, the manager aims to have Martial ready for selection as soon as possible.