Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has stated that Anthony Martial may make his comeback during Sunday’s Premier League match at Old Trafford against Southampton.
The Frenchman has missed the last five weeks of action due to five different injuries he has sustained this season, including the hip injury he suffered against Nottingham Forest.
Martial resumed full training prior to the Real Betis match, and Ten Hag has since stated that the 27-year-old is now prepared to join the matchday squad against the Saints. The Dutchman stressed that he will be careful when working with the French forward.
Christian Eriksen also received an encouraging injury update from Ten Hag. The midfielder sustained a serious ankle injury following a careless tackle from Reading’s Andy Carroll.
The boss continues to have faith that the Danish player will return to action before the season is out. While speaking to the club’s official website, the manager said:
“Yeah, but I think, all the time, we had a good plan and until now it [didn’t] always [work well].”But he is on his way back, he is back in training, but we will be cautious, yeah.”
“I think he [Eriksen] will play [again in 2022/23]. Definitely. But I can’t tell now an expectation, but I think his progress in rehab is okay. It is going according to plan, so definitely we will see him. But not before the international break.”
Martial has played in 14 games this season, scoring six goals and dishing out two assists, but he hasn’t been able to avoid injury for too long.
The Frenchman has already missed 28 games due to injury, and he is now facing a vital time in his United career before the season is out. Ten Hag recently stated that the forward is a “very essential” player for the team, but he must demonstrate his fitness in order to stay with the team past the summer.
Harry Kane has reportedly been identified as the manager’s top target in United’s search for a blockbuster striker signing. Ten Hag may decide to keep Weghorst on a long-term contract in addition to looking for a new centre forward.
As a result, Martial’s future at United is in jeopardy. If he fails to maintain his fitness, then the striker would be more likely to be sold this summer.
