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United's Martial out vs. Leicester despite avoiding concussion

Reuters

A calf injury, not a suspected concussion, has sidelined Anthony Martial for Manchester United's match Saturday against defending Premier League champion Leicester City.

Martial appeared to suffer a head injury last weekend at Watford following a clash of heads with full-back Daryl Janmaat. He remained on the pitch and later coughed up possession as the Hornets scored the first goal in a stunning 3-1 win.

But manager Jose Mourinho told reporters Friday that Martial suffered a contusion "in the calf and ankle area" as he was dispossessed, and that's what's causing him problems.

The 20-year-old did return to training Friday, but he isn't ready to play just yet.

The Portuguese protested after the match at Vicarage Road that United should've been awarded a free-kick for a perceived foul on Martial. Whether the France international - clearly groggy from the earlier collision - should've still been on the pitch is a question brain charity Headway has asked.

The Football Association stipulates players who have sustained a suspected concussion to be "removed from the pitch and not allowed to return until the appropriate treatment has been administered."

In any case, Marcus Rashford is expected to start in Martial's place Saturday. The 18-year-old has scored three goals in his last five matches, including a game-breaking performance off the bench Wednesday against Northampton Town.

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