Ole reveals why Martial came off
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has shed some light on why he substituted Anthony Martial early in the second half, during the 1-1 draw with Everton on Saturday.
The Frenchman struck his first goal of the season to give the Reds the lead, just before the break, running on to Bruno Fernandes’s through ball to lash the ball into the net.
But Andros Townsend netted on the counter-attack, equalising for Everton on 65 minutes and ensuring the points were shared. Martial was off the pitch by that point, with our no.9 having been replaced as part of a double substitution.
He and Edinson Cavani were switched with Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo respectively, on 57 minutes.
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A frustrated Ole reacts to the draw with Everton at Old Trafford...
Speaking after the game, Ole praised Anthony for his goal and said that the substitution was because of an injury to Martial, rather than a tactical decision.
“Great movement, great interlink play,” said Solskjaer, to club media.
“Scott [McTominay], Mason [Greenwood], Bruno, Anthony: good finish. Very pleased for him and with him.
“Unfortunately he got a knock and had to come off.”
Anthony is one of three United players who has been selected in Didier Deschamps’s squad.
He, Raphael Varane and Paul Pogba are all in contention to play in the Nations League semi-final with Belgium.
Should Les Bleus get past Roberto Martinez’s side on 7 October, Italy or Spain will lie in wait in next Sunday’s final in Milan.
It remains to be seen whether the knock is enough to keep Martial – who has two goals in 30 France games – out of the squad.