‘Wait’: Erik ten Hag delivers update on Anthony Martial ahead of Sheriff Tiraspol match
The manager of Manchester United, Erik ten Hag, disclosed that Anthony Martial has not yet returned to group training at Carrington.
The 26-year-old has missed the last four games for Manchester United after suffering a back injury against Everton.
United’s number nine has suffered hamstring, Achilles, and back injuries during Ten Hag’s tenure.
Since the 2022-23 season began, the France international has not played more than 45 minutes for the twenty-time league champions.
The former Monaco player has scored three goals and provided two assists in 133 minutes of game time.
With the 30-time France international likely unavailable for Manchester United’s Europa League Group E match against Sheriff Tiraspol at Old Trafford on Thursday, the former Ajax manager may hand Cristiano Ronaldo his fifth consecutive start in the Europa League.
Ten Hag must make a decision on his number seven after reintegrating him into the first team following his exclusion from the squad for Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea and his early departure from the Theatre of Dreams while his teammates defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-0.
If the Dutchman wishes to rest Marcus Rashford or Antony, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner could be recalled.
Nevertheless, if the 52-year-old does start Rashford and Antony against a managerless Sheriff, Ronaldo could replace Jadon Sancho.
United’s number seven scored his first goal of the season in Moldova when he converted a penalty in last month’s 2-0 victory over Sheriff in Chisinau. Sancho scored the game’s first goal.
Martial, like his compatriot Raphael Varane, finds the match against the leaders of the Moldovan premier league to be too soon.
Speaking to the club’s website on Martial, Ten Hag said: “He’s improving. He’s back on the [training] pitch, not in the group so we have to wait for that step. But hopefully he’s back [soon].”
Ten Hag disclosed that Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Donny van de Beek would be evaluated in training before a decision is made regarding their prospective participation tomorrow night.
‘Wait’: Erik ten Hag delivers update on Anthony Martial ahead of Sheriff Tiraspol match
