Erik ten Hag responds to Anthony Martial "risk" amid Man Utd injury crisis
Manchester United striker Anthony Martial is not expected to start against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground this Sunday.
Martial made his first start in three months on Thursday, when he featured in United's 2-2 draw with Sevilla at Old Trafford. The 27-year-old forward has struggled with a hip injury and was substituted after 62 minutes of the Europa League clash.
Erik ten Hag was asked whether Martial would continue up front against Forest during his pre-match press conference on Friday. The United manager's response suggests Wout Weghorst will be recalled to the starting XI for the Premier League clash.
Ten Hag told reporters: "Maybe he can, but it's a risk and we can't take that risk in this moment because we don't have so many options in the frontline with [Marcus] Rashford and [Alejandro] Garnacho injured, so we have to be careful.
"Also, in the individual prospect, we know when there's a lot of load he gets injured and we have to build it, especially when the games come quick."
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United have been hit by an injury crisis, as they chase a cup treble and a top-four finish in the Premier League. Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez both limped out of the Sevilla game, and it's unclear how long Ten Hag will be without the centre-backs for.
Anthony Martial made his first start in three months on Thursday (Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)Do you think Manchester United will have a strong end to the season? Let us know in the comments below!
There were fears Martinez suffered a serious Achilles injury against Sevilla, but Ten Hag has confirmed this is not the case. Yet he refused to give too much information away on Friday: "I can't say in this moment, when we have news we will give it straight to you.
"Let's do the medical, a full assessment, complete diagnosis, it doesn't change in this moment. I have an idea, but I don't cause speculation."
Donny van de Beek will not play again this season due to a knee complaint, while Garnacho is nursing an ankle injury. Tom Heaton is struggling with a similar issue to the Argentine, with Rashford expected to recover from a groin injury sooner rather than later.
Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay both missed the Sevilla game due to knocks but are expected to be available against Forest. Ten Hag added, "We have two sessions to go, so I don't know now. But it can be Scott and Luke will return to the squad."
Martial is United's first-choice striker and has offered a lot when fit this season, scoring seven goals and providing three assists in 18 games. As for Weghorst, he has scored two goals and provided three assists in 21 appearances since joining United in January.
As such, it's easy to see why Ten Hag is pleased to have Martial fit again. He added: "I think you see first half we were in a really good shape, Aaron Wan-Bissaka played very well, Antony played very well, Marcel Sabitzer did really well, Bruno [Fernandes] very good and Anthony Martial as well, Rapha and Licha. There were many positives about yesterday's game."
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