OP IS FINAL BLOW FOR MARTIAL

DAVID MCDONNELL

ANTHONY MARTIAL looks to have played his last game for Manchester United.

The French striker has been ruled out for at least 10 weeks after having surgery to address an ongoing groin problem. The recovery period means Martial will be sidelined until at least April, just weeks before the end of the season.

And with the French forward having failed to play for

United since early December, it is unlikely boss Erik ten Hag will pick him again.

Martial’s £250,000-aweek contract runs out at the end of this season and the Reds have decided against triggering an option to extend it.

United are willing to let the 28-year-old (left) leave as a free agent and miss out on recouping any money from a potential transfer fee.

Martial, signed from

Monaco in 2015 for £36million, rising to £57m, promised much when he marked his debut with a sublime solo goal against their arch-rivals Liverpool in a 3-1 win at Old Trafford. The fee United paid for Martial made him the most expensive teenager in world football at the time and he looked set to become one of the best attacking players in the world.

But Martial failed to live up to his early promise, a succession of injuries and a questionable attitude seeing him fail to establish himself under a series of managers at United.

Martial has been in and out of United’s team this season, and has scored just twice in 19 appearances in all competitions.

He last played for United on December 9 in a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth.

It is understood a host of clubs in Saudi Arabia are ready to offer the striker a lucrative new deal to help him revive his stagnant career.

Martial, signed by Louis van Gaal, is currently United’s second longest-serving player after defender Luke Shaw.