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Ten Hag plays down injury fears regarding 27-year-old Manchester United star

Erik ten Hag asks for patience with Anthony Martial injury issues at Manchester United.
Erik ten Hag asks for patience with Anthony Martial injury issues at Manchester United. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

Erik ten Hag allays Manchester United star Anthony Martial injury fears after substitution against AFC Bournemouth

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has allayed any injury fears some might have had after Anthony Martial was substituted against AFC Bournemouth.

The France international started the fixture at Old Trafford against Cherries on Tuesday (3 January). We won 3-0 in the game as the 27-year-old played around 70 minutes before being replaced by Anthony Elanga.

Speaking to the media via Manchester Evening News, Ten Hag was adamant that Martial was fit. The Dutch manager did not want to overwork the Frenchman, which is why he did not complete the 90 minutes.

Erik ten Hag allays Manchester United star Anthony Martial injury fears after substitution against AFC Bournemouth.
Erik ten Hag has allayed fears of Manchester United star Anthony Martial being injured. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

“He’s available but it’s different. He came off but he didn’t play that much in the first half of the season so we have to bring him slowly back into 90 minutes.

“He can play 90 minutes but [if we’re playing him] in a row of games we have to protect him so he can have the strength, the power to deliver over 90 minutes, every third day.”

The 27-year-old has had trouble with injuries in the current campaign. He missed most of the fixtures under Ten Hag prior to the 2022 World Cup break.

This term, Martial has featured 11 times in all competitions for United. He has managed to find the back of the net five times and has provided two assists.

Fortunately, the French national seems to be back to full fitness. He has started in the last six fixtures for the Red Devils. But the Dutch manager has been cautious and the forward has not played the entirety of the matches.

https://twitter.com/ManUtd/status/1609999090967887879?s=20&t=iyyxh2JJdZnTVUhYE-hriQ

Martial signed for the Old Trafford side in the summer of 2015 from AS Monaco. However, the 27-year-old has been unable to cement his place in the starting lineup over the years. Now it looks like the forward is getting the opportunity.

Hopefully, injuries do not hamper the French national’s second half of the campaign. He has become an increasingly important member of the squad following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure.

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Martial is currently the only natural striker at Ten Hag’s disposal. Thus, it is wise of the gaffer to manage the 27-year-old’s minutes and help keep the forward in top shape.

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