KEY POINTS

  • World Cup 2022 has begun in Qatar
  • France's campaign opener is against Australia
  • Karim Benzema has been ruled out of the tournament due to an injury

Anthony Martial has reportedly apologized to his young Manchester United teammate Daniel Gore for a training ground brawl.

Martial, who was not included in France's World Cup squad, and Gore were involved in a heated exchange during a session overseen by boss Erik ten Hag at Carrington last week.

Gore, who moved from Burnley to Manchester United in the summer of 2021, produced a strong tackle on Martial at the club's training base last Wednesday. The 26-year-old French forward reacted angrily, but Gore refused to back down. The two players had to be pulled apart.

Though Martial apologized to Gore, Ten Hag asked the teenage midfielder to not be too physical in training as Manchester United want to avoid any untimely injuries, reported The Guardian.

Earlier, there were reports suggesting Martial could be included in France's World Cup squad following the injury to Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema. However, France head coach Didier Deschamps later confirmed they were not going to call a replacement for Benzema.

Anthony Martial
Anthony Martial is currently training with Manchester United in the ongoing international break Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images

"It's never fun, it doesn't make you smile. We had already lost Christopher and everyone was very sad. This is Karim. But we have a goal and the group knows very well what awaits us with a game on Tuesday," Deschamps said in an interview.

Benzema was the newest addition to France's growing injury list, which includes N'Golo Kante, Paul Pogba and Christopher Nkunku. In fact, RB Leipzig forward Nkunku was injured during France's final training session before the team boarded the plane to Qatar.

France will begin their World Cup campaign Tuesday when they lock horns with Australia in their Group D fixture. Their group also has Tunisia and Denmark.

Meanwhile, Manchester United are working with a small senior group during the ongoing international break. The whole side will return to competitive action a week before Christmas. The Red Devils will take on Spanish clubs Cadiz and Real Betis in club friendlies before facing off against Burnley in the fourth round of League Cup on Dec. 21 at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag and his team will end the year with two back-to-back Premier League matches against Nottingham Forest (Dec. 27) and Wolves (Dec. 31). With 26 points from 14 games, the Red Devils are placed fifth in the 2022-23 league table, 11 behind leaders Arsenal.

Soccer