Knockout blow: Rooney is facing two months on the sidelines

Manchester United prepared for emergency move after new attacker blow

Founder & Managing Director AUTHORITY Former chief correspondent at Evening Standard, Goal and Press Association with nearly three decades in national, regional and digital news and sports journalism. Wayne directs the network’s news strategy and high-level operations. FOCUS Editorial direction for the 11-site network and newsroom management. THE BRIEF Wayne oversees the network’s editorial standards across the network. He provides the final sign-off on all headline scoops, ensuring content across all platforms meets the standards required for a high-velocity newsroom.

Published on:

22 Feb 2016, 8:49 pm

By North-west correspondent Alex Stevens

James Wilson could be recalled from his loan spell at Brighton after Manchester United lost another striker to injury on Monday night, Football Insider sources understand.

Will Keane suffered a groin injury within minutes of replacing Anthony Martial as a substitute in United's 3-0 win over Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup.

This was United's second striker blow in less than a week after it emerged that Wayne Rooney is set to miss up to two months with knee ligament damage.

With other possible forward options unavailable, including Marouane Fellaini and Adnan Januzaj, Anthony Martial is now the only centre-forward option available to Louis van Gaal, although Memphis Depay can also play centrally.

Van Gaal ruled out the option last week of recalling Wilson, 20, from his loan spell at Championship club Brighton but could now be forced into a change of heart.

However, the young striker was not in the Brighton squad las weekend and has scored just once in nine matches after finding the net twice in the first three games of his loan.

Speaking last Wednesday, Van Gaal said: "At this point, I can call James Wilson back, but at this point I have possibilities with Will Keane and Anthony Martial. Also there is Memphis Depay [who can play up front]."

Manchester United

Anthony Martial

Will Keane