Man Utd may boast six returns vs Tottenham but Erik ten Hag takes swipe at Anthony Martial | Football | Sport

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Man Utd may boast six returns vs Tottenham but Erik ten Hag takes swipe at Anthony Martial | Football | Sport

In Monday’s FA Cup win at Wigan Athletic, Ten Hag was without 13 first-team stars, including three new absentees.

However, United’s preparations for their first Premier League match of 2024 have been boosted by several of those returning to contention.

« We have had a lot of injuries, [but] this week in training, the last couple of days, Licha Martinez [has been] training, Casemiro [has been] training, Luke Shaw [has been] training. So players are returning, » Ten Hag explained on Friday.

« They are coming in for selection for Sunday. Antony [is also fit], yeah. Eriksen was ill in the week, [but] he will return. Antony will return. Amad will return.

« We have more choice at this moment in the squad to put out a starting XI and create a bench that is stronger. »

Ten Hag has been without Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro and Luke Shaw for large sections of the campaign.

All three returning to fitness at the same time comes as a significant blow when an upturn in results is crucial, starting against Spurs.

And the United boss confirmed that Mason Mount, Tyrell Malacia and Victor Lindelof were among those not far behind the other six in their injury recoveries.

He added: « They are returning, a step ahead, when I talk about Licha Martinez returning, Casemiro returning, for instance, but they were a long time away.

« Mason Mount will return but take a little longer, Tyrell Malacia will return as well, Victor Lindelof is also on his way back, but it will take some weeks and takes time to get back into match fitness.

« When we have the news, we will tell you. I’m not sure about the word relief. First, it has to happen. They are back, but it is positive they are back on the training ground and that they go back to the team and then to 100% match fitness. »

One player who Ten Hag will continue without is Anthony Martial, absent since before Christmas through what the Dutchman initially claimed was illness.

The United No 9’s prolonged absence has naturally sparked heavy transfer speculation, given he has entered the final six months of his contract with little chance of renewed terms.

But Ten Hag has provided an update, stating that Martial currently isn’t fit to play and subtlely suggesting it is in the Frenchman’s control.

« He’s not fit. We want the players to be fit, and at this moment, he is not. We have to make him fit. It’s his job as well, » Ten Hag said.

Cet article est apparu en premier en ANGLAIS sur https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1855003/Man-Utd-news-Tottenham-Erik-ten-Hag-Anthony-Martial


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