Manchester United forward Anthony Martial undergoes groin operation

The 28-year-old has not featured for the 20-time English champions since the start of December, initially being absent through illness, before his agent Philippe Lamboley said that he had a problem with his adductors.

Martial has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford this month, as his contract is due to expire at the end of June, and a fresh deal is seemingly not on the cards.

Lamboley recently insisted that his client would be staying with Man United before the end of the January transfer window, though, and that will be the case, as he has undergone a groin operation.

"Manchester United striker Anthony Martial has completed successful surgery to address a groin complaint and will be out of action for about 10 weeks as he rehabilitates," read a statement on the club's official website.

"We wish Anthony a speedy recovery and look forward to his return."

Martial has only managed two goals and two assists in 19 appearances for Man United this season, with his last appearance coming against Bournemouth in the Premier League on December 9.

The Frenchman has made 317 appearances for the Red Devils since arriving from Monaco in the summer of 2015, scoring 90 goals and registering 55 assists in the process.

Man United decided against activating a 12-month extension in his contract at the start of this month, though, and an exit this summer on a free transfer is highly likely, with West Ham United, Fenerbahce and Inter Milan believed to be among the European clubs interested in him.

A number of clubs from the Saudi Pro League are also said to be keeping a close eye on his situation, with the attacker potentially being offered a lucrative move to the division.

Martial's absence means that Man United only have one senior centre-forward fit and available in the shape of Rasmus Hojlund.

The 20-year-old has scored seven times in 25 appearances for Erik ten Hag's side this season following a move from Atalanta BC last summer, but just two of those goals have come in the Premier League.

Man United have allegedly not ruled out making a signing before the end of the transfer window, and a loan deal for a striker is thought to be a possibility if a deal makes financial sense.

Karim Benzema continues to be linked with a move to Old Trafford, and Man United's new CEO Omar Berrada could allegedly help engineer a switch for the Al-Ittihad forward before the January market closes.