Groin injury rules Gignac out of United encounter
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Article summary
Olympique de Marseille are counting the cost of beating AS Saint-Étienne after André-Pierre Gignac (groin) was sidelined for two weeks and Brandão and Loïc Rémy twisted ankles.
Article top media content
Article body
Olympique de Marseille will be without André-Pierre Gignac for their UEFA Champions League round of 16 opener against Manchester United FC next week after the striker injured his groin on Saturday.
The 25-year-old was carried off 16 minutes from the end of OM's 2-1 home win against AS Saint-Étienne. Initial estimates suggest the French international − who set up the opener for Lucho González − will be sidelined for two weeks, ruling him out of United's visit to the Stade Vélodrome on Wednesday.
José Anigo, the Marseille general manager, told the club's TV channel: "It's not that serious but, barring a miracle, there is little chance of him being available for Manchester United." Gignac, a €16m signing from Toulouse FC last summer, went into the St-Étienne match on the back of five goals in his last four appearances.
In addition to Gignac, there are also concerns over fellow forwards Brandão and Loïc Rémy, who both twisted an ankle in the same game. "Rémy has sprained his ankle," Anigo said of OM's leading scorer, "but considering the medical staff we have I'm not concerned. There are three days to get him fit. The same applies to Brandão. I think both will be available on Wednesday. I hope we'll just be shorn of Gignac."
