Soccer-Rangnick urges Martial to clear the air over Manchester United future

The club said they were in discussions with the Premier League whether it was safe to go ahead with the game on Tuesday. Rangnick, who took over from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last month, has guided United to back-to-back wins in the league but added that his side needed to be at their best to cope with Brentford's intensity.

Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick said on Monday that he had no interest in communicating with player agents through the media amid speculation that forward Anthony Martial is keen to leave the club in January. Martial's representative, Philippe Lamboley, said last week that the Frenchman was intent on securing a move away from Old Trafford in order to get more game time.

"I don't communicate with agents via the media and press. The player hasn't spoken with me or us about it," Rangnick told reporters ahead of Tuesday's Premier League clash away to Brentford. "After the final training session before the Crystal Palace game, after having trained with team, he informed the doctor and the medical department that he would not be available because the pain in his knee is too big. We have to wait and see."

Martial, who has recently been sidelined due to injury, has played 10 games in all competitions this season, scoring once. "If he really has the wish to go to another club it should be the player who informs either the board or myself," said Rangnick.

United shut down first-team operations at their Carrington training ground for 24 hours on Monday following a number of positive COVID-19 cases among the staff and players. The club said they were in discussions with the Premier League whether it was safe to go ahead with the game on Tuesday.

Rangnick, who took over from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last month, has guided United to back-to-back wins in the league but added that his side needed to be at their best to cope with Brentford's intensity. "I saw the Brentford game against Watford. They are another high intensity team, maybe more physical than Norwich City. We need to be aware and prepare for that different level of intensity, but we have to wait and see," Rangnick said.

"It's about taking next steps. It's easier to take those steps if you are winning games. Now we have to try and raise the level we play against the ball up front." The manager added that right back Aaron Wan-Bissaka and striker Edinson Cavani could return from injury on Tuesday, but it was too early to take a call on their participation.

Promoted Brentford are 10th on 20 points, seven points adrift of their fifth-placed opponents after 16 games.