Ten Hag rules Martial out of Chelsea game
Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Manchester United will be without Anthony Martial for Saturday's teatime trip to Chelsea (17:30 BST).
The Frenchman was forced off during our recent 2-1 win over Everton on 9 October, and has played no part in the subsequent fixtures against Omonia Nicosia, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur.
In an interview that you can read in full on Saturday morning, Ten Hag told club media that Martial will also be absent from this weekend's fixture at Stamford Bridge.
“Martial? He was on the [training] pitch, but he's not available for tomorrow,” revealed the boss. “We have to see how it develops in the coming days.”
“Martial? He was on the [training] pitch, but he's not available for tomorrow,” revealed the boss. “We have to see how it develops in the coming days.”
Cristiano Ronaldo will also miss this weekend's match, as per a club statement released on Thursday.
Elsewhere, there is more encouraging news, however. Earlier in the week, defenders Harry Maguire and Brandon Williams were pictured training out on the Carrington pitches, as they bid to step up their respective returns from injury. And the boss told us that Aaron Wan-Bissaka is also edging closer to a first-team return.
“Aaron Wan-Bissaka is back on the pitch, so that's good news, because we need everyone,” said Erik.
“We have so may games to cover, so we need a big squad, you need that you can pick players, that you have choice. So I'm happy with that process.”
“We have so may games to cover, so we need a big squad, you need that you can pick players, that you have choice. So I'm happy with that process.”
THE STATE OF PLAY AT CHELSEA
The Blues will be without influential first-teamers Reece James and N'Golo Kante this weekend, while defender Wesley Fofana is also unavailable. Ben Chilwell could return, though, after being rested against Brentford. Conor Gallagher, however, will need to overcome a bout of illness to make the squad.
Kepa Arrizabalaga has unseated Edouard Mendy in the Chelsea goal since Graham Potter's arrival, and the new boss has been keen to rotate his players and employ different formations since assuming the reins. Armanda Broja led the front line against the Bees on Wednesday, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is perhaps still their senior striker. The Englishman's approach should keep everyone guessing until the team news is released at 16:30 BST on Saturday.
But the Chelsea manager could provide more detailed information on who he will have at his disposal when he sits down with the London media later on Friday afternoon.
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