Troubles in attack for Man Utd

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will have his work cut out for him when he tries to assemble an attacking line for the upcoming matches of Man Utd.

Manchester United striker Anthony Martial was forced off with an injury in France's game with Kazakhstan, leaving Solskjaer potentially facing a forward crisis.

Marcus Rashford pulled out of the England squad with a foot injury earlier this week, while Mason Greenwood also withdrew from the U21 camp.

Martial went down with a knee injury in the second half of France's World Cup qualifier on Sunday and was unable to continue. The forward appeared to get his studs caught in the turf and looked in some pain as he hobbled off.

Solskjaer will be hoping it is not a serious problem, especially because he is already short of striking options.

Should Martial be sidelined, Edinson Cavani would be United's only fit and available forward - and he is just returning from injury.

Greenwood & Rashford (©Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Gallo Images)

United face Brighton on Sunday before the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie with Granada.

They then face Tottenham ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford, with Premier League games against Burnley, Leeds and Liverpool to follow.

Martial has suffered a frustrating season in front of goal, netting just four times in the Premier League and seven in all competitions.

However, he has been a key part of Solskjaer's squad this season, regularly interchanging with Cavani in the central striking role, with Bruno Fernandes playing behind them.

Rashford has occupied the wide-left position for the majority of the season, with Solskjaer regularly rotating his right-sided player. Dan James has started four of the last five league games in that role.

Amad Diallo can also play on the right or left, but is yet to make his Premier League debut. The 18-year-old scored on his first appearance at Old Trafford in the 1-1 draw with AC Milan.

An interesting thing followed Martial's leaving the pitch in Les Bleus opening qualifier 1-1 with Ukraine last week. Mbappe attempted the usual handshake with his countryman as he replaced him, but Martial wasn't interested at all. Martial's frustration lately is obvious.

Martial missed the recent Premier League game against West Ham and the Europa League game with AC Milan in Italy, after injuring himself in the first game with the Rossoneri, before returning to action in the FA Cup loss to Leicester City.

Another player who will trouble Solskjaer's mind and his plans for the squad is Diogo Dalot. Despite Solskjaer talking up Dalot's Old Trafford return this month, AC Milan have reportedly opened talks with Man United over making Dalot's loan move a permanent one - opening with an offer of 16.5 million USD (1.8 billion KSH). The 22-year-old departed United on a season-long loan for the San Siro last summer and has been a revelation for Milan boss Stefano Pioli.

Dalot tackling Pogba (©Jonathan Moscrop/Gallo Images)

Having fallen behind Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the pecking order at United, Metro report that Dalot's revival in Milan has seen the Serie A side press on with talks to keep him. 'The plan was always for Diogo this season, or the main thing for Diogo, was to be fit,' Solskjaer had said. 'He never managed to be fit for a long spell when he was here and was unfortunate with injuries. 'Now he's kept fit all season; he's been available for them. He's playing at a big club, big expectations and a great history, so it's been a good year for him. 'So, of course, I've been very pleased with his development this season. He's our player and we're looking forward to having him back.'

But Solskjaer has a history of bringing back loanees, only to later sign off on their departures. Solskjaer told reporters Alexis Sanchez would return from a loan spell at Inter Milan to 'prove you all wrong', only to allow the Chilean to stay at the San Siro. Chris Smalling, who seemed to get his mojo back at AS Roma, was also talked up by Solskjaer before he too sealed a permanent switch, failing to play for United again.