Ten Hag: Anthony Martial fit for Wolves opener
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Anthony Martial is available for the Reds' first Premier League game of the season.
The 20-time champions of England host Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford on Monday evening (20:00 BST) and have been handed a boost by the Frenchman's progress.
Martial has not played a minute of our pre-season matches, due to a hamstring problem he picked up in the days leading up to last season's FA Cup final.
But Ten Hag offered an encouraging update in the embargoed section of his pre-match press conference.
Martial has not played a minute of our pre-season matches, due to a hamstring problem he picked up in the days leading up to last season's FA Cup final.
But Ten Hag offered an encouraging update in the embargoed section of his pre-match press conference.
Part two: Press conference v Wolves Video
Part two: Press conference v Wolves
Press conference part two | Ten Hag discusses Rasmus Hojlund and gives an update on Anthony Martial...
Questioned about his feelings around the unavailability of new signing Rasmus Hojlund – who has been ruled out of the Wolves match – Erik responded by listing his various options at centre-forward.
Positively, Martial was among those mentioned.
“I'm quite calm and composed in this situation,” began the boss. “Because Rashy is very good as a striker – we have seen it last Saturday [in the 3-1 victory over RC Lens].
Positively, Martial was among those mentioned.
“I'm quite calm and composed in this situation,” began the boss. “Because Rashy is very good as a striker – we have seen it last Saturday [in the 3-1 victory over RC Lens].
“Anthony Martial is available as well. Jadon Sancho can play there as well – he did it in pre-season very well. The squad can deal with it, as I already said. There is a strategy behind it.”
When journalists followed up on the comment to confirm that Martial was ready to play, Ten Hag reiterated his confidence.
The forward made just 21 league appearances in an injury-hit 2022/23 campaign, but scored six goals (plus three more in other competitions).
Encouragingly, he scored the opener when Wolves last visited Old Trafford (on 13 May) and then followed up with another goal in the 4-1 demolition of Chelsea in our penultimate league match of last season.
Supporters will hope Martial is poised to reproduce the fitness and finesse he displayed in his best United campaign, 2019/20, when he plundered a career-best 23 strikes across 48 appearances.
The forward made just 21 league appearances in an injury-hit 2022/23 campaign, but scored six goals (plus three more in other competitions).
Encouragingly, he scored the opener when Wolves last visited Old Trafford (on 13 May) and then followed up with another goal in the 4-1 demolition of Chelsea in our penultimate league match of last season.
Supporters will hope Martial is poised to reproduce the fitness and finesse he displayed in his best United campaign, 2019/20, when he plundered a career-best 23 strikes across 48 appearances.
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