Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui explains Anthony Martial struggles on loan from Manchester United

Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui has offered his thoughts surrounding the troubles Manchester United loanee Anthony Martial has faced in recent weeks.

The Frenchman was struck down with another injury against Real Madrid last weekend and will miss Sevilla's trip to Levante tonight (Thursday). Prior to his first set-back against Espanyol, Martial scored and assisted in his first four games following his loan switch to the La Liga outfit.

However, a muscle injury saw his miss three of the Pamplona's sides' outings as they slipped out of the La Liga title race. And since his return to the fold, the 24-year-old has failed to hit top form.

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He was forced off just before the break against Carlo Ancelotti's side. And for Lopetegui, it went from bad to worse as Madrid staged a dramatic second-half fight-back with Karim Benzema sealing the comeback in stoppage time.

Speaking ahead of their trip to the Estadi Ciutat de València, via Sevilla's official website, Lopetegui said: "We have problems in some positions. Martial is definitely out. He had a muscular injury when he was in good form and seeing what we wanted from him, he hasn't been able to get much continuity.

"The rest we are waiting to see how they are tomorrow to make final decisions on. I could write 10 books on what has happened this year. We have to leave the feelings of the players and yours as a coach behind."

Martial went out on loan in search for much-needed first-team minutes ahead of the World Cup in November after falling down the pecking order at United. As his loan edges towards its conclusion, there remains no clarity whether he will make his Spain stay permanent or return to Old