Manchester United's Anthony Martial facing season-ending hip operation?

The Frenchman has not featured for the 20-time English champions since December 9, initially being unavailable for selection due to an illness.

However, Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag said ahead of the Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur that an injury was currently making the forward unavailable for selection.

Martial is currently believed to be training away from the first team due to the problem, but his agent Philippe Lamboley has played down suggestions of an issue with the club.

Lamboley also said that his client would undergo "a small operation on his adductors" to address a problem which has been causing him issues.

"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%, so he will do it now," the agent recently told Sky Sports News.

According to ESPN, Martial is discussing the best course of action with Man United's medical department, with the striker deciding whether to have surgery.

The report has not put a timeframe on a potential recovery, but considering the area of the injury, it is possible that an operation could end his season.

Martial is out of contract this summer, and Man United are not expected to offer him an extension, so he could have already played his final game for the 20-time English champions.

The forward has scored 90 goals and registered 55 assists in 317 appearances for Man United since making the move to the club from Monaco in 2015.

Martial has made 19 appearances for the Red Devils this season, meanwhile, scoring twice and registering two assists in the process.

Inter Milan, Fenerbahce and West Ham United will allegedly be among the clubs interested in his signature this summer, while he could also be given the chance to move to the Saudi Pro League.

Should Martial undergo an operation, Man United may be forced into the market for a new striker this month, and Ten Hag is said to be determined to bring in Brian Brobbey from Ajax.

The Amsterdam giants are not believed to be open to a mid-season sale, though, so it could prove incredibly difficult to sign the Dutchman before the winter window closes for business.