Erik ten Hag says Anthony Martial is not yet “ready to play” and should be wary of the return of the Manchester United striker.
The Frenchman made just 15 appearances this season in United’s game against Brentford at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
The striker made his highly anticipated injury return against Newcastle on Sunday as he came off the bench to make his first appearance in two months.
However, although Wout Weghorst fell out of the starting eleven against the Bees, Martial was called up once as a substitute against him.
And that despite the fact that Martial spent almost a month training and United lacked his ability in front of goal.
But after Marcus Rashford gave United their first Premier League win since February, Ten Hag revealed he needs to be careful with the “vulnerable” Martial.
When asked if Martial is fit enough to participate, Ten Hag replied: “No, otherwise not [he would start].
“He was an option, but I don’t think he’s fit enough to start at the moment.
It is also prevention. Of course, when you look at Anthony Martial’s record over the past few years, you have to plan and schedule very carefully [even] then he can still be physically vulnerable.
“I want to take the risk because I know that when he is on the pitch, he has a huge impact on our performance.”
Rashford’s attack after half an hour gave United a much-needed win to put the Red Devils back in the top four.
It was the striker’s 28th goal of the season and was enough to beat a Brentford side who had lost just once in their last 16 games.
United meet Everton in Saturday’s early kick-off at Old Trafford, although they may miss Luke Shaw after he was sent off injured in the first half.
Source: Subway
Source: Metro
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