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“Point to the stats”- Ten Hag throws his weight behind injury-plagued Man United star

Inter Milan are planning to make a move for the under-fire Manchester United forward Anthony Martial in January.
Inter Milan are planning to make a move for the under-fire Manchester United forward Anthony Martial in January. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

Erik ten Hag feels Manchester United play their best with Anthony Martial on the pitch

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag believes Anthony Martial is a key player and feels the Red Devils play their best football with the French national on the pitch.

Unfortunately, the Old Trafford side have not been able to count on the former AS Monaco star much in the current campaign. Constant injuries have kept the striker on the sidelines for most of the season.

As a result, the 27-year-old has been unreliable. But speaking to the media via Manchester Evening News, Ten Hag came out in the forward’s defence.

Erik ten Hag feels Manchester United play their best with Anthony Martial on the pitch.
Erik ten Hag has come to the defence of Manchester United star Anthony Martial. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

“You say I defended him, yeah. But I just point to the stats. The stats are telling you the moment he is on the pitch, the time he needs for a goal is less.

“When he’s in the team, I refer to games against Man City and against Liverpool, we play our best football and we have our best results as a team.”

Martial has missed 27 games so far in the current campaign for United. His fitness troubles started during pre-season and the striker has picked up niggles along the way.

Ten Hag has had to play Marcus Rashford as a striker on several occasions since taking charge of the team. Fortunately, the 25-year-old has done well and has shouldered the burden of the Red Devils’ attack in the current campaign.

In January, the Old Trafford side got Wout Weghorst on loan from Burnley to add cover in the number nine position. The Holland international has featured heavily in the last few months. But the 30-year-old leaves a lot to be desired in front of goal.

https://twitter.com/ManUtd/status/1645010917376294914?s=20

Martial returned to action as a substitute after a lengthy layoff in the 2-0 loss to Newcastle United. The France international also played a cameo against Brentford and scored coming off the bench in the 2-0 win over Everton.

Despite his limited minutes, the forward has had a considerable impact. In 17 appearances in all competitions this season, he has found the back of the net seven times and has provided two assists.

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However, the 27-year-old is yet to complete the full 90 minutes in any fixture under Ten Hag. His fragility is a cause for concern. But hopefully, the striker will stay fit from now until the end of the term and help the team.

Written by Aheed Abrar

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