Anthony Martial is in the Manchester United squad for Thursday’s Europa League trip to Partizan Belgrade but David De Gea and Paul Pogba are absent. France international, Martial, missed five Premier League games due to a thigh injury, but he made his comeback as a second-half substitute in Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Old Trafford.
And, with United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer short of attacking options, the 23-year-old’s fitness will be a welcome boost.
Pogba is again unavailable because of an ankle injury and Solskjaer confirmed the midfielder will also miss Sunday’s trip to Norwich, although De Gea will be available despite missing Thursday’s clash in Serbia.
Nemanja Matic, Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot, Eric Bailly and Axel Tuanzebe all remain out.
United are desperately hoping to head to Carrow Road buoyed by a much-needed win, having last triumphed on the road against Paris Saint-Germain in March’s jaw-dropping Champions League clash. “It’s a question we’ve asked ourselves as well,” Solskjaer said after 11 successive winless matches. “Because after I came in we won nine on the bounce and since then we haven’t won any. “So, it’s an issue we have to deal with, sort out as soon as possible. We’ve got four games away now on the trot, so hopefully those statistics will turn.”
Partizan will have Zoran Tosic, who played five games for United during a short spell at Old Trafford back in 2009, in their ranks and Solskjaer has warned his players to be wary of his “quality” left foot.
Other players with Premier League experience likely to line-up against the Red Devils are former Liverpool winger Lazar Markovic and goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic, who played in the top flight with Wigan Athletic.
Nigerian forward Umar Sadiq and Guinea international Seydouba Soumah are the other players who will pose a threat.
United have picked up four points from their two games so far, but sit second behind Partizan in Group L because the Serbians have scored more goals.
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