Manchester United are getting ready for Premier League action once more and this time, Erik ten Hag faces the task of making sure his side returns to winning ways domestically following last weekend’s defeat at Anfield.
The Reds provided the perfect response in the mid-week thumping of Real Betis in the Europa League but the main objective will still be to nail down a third-place finish in the Premier League, with any discussions of a title charge put to bed after the loss to Liverpool.
Ten Hag has developed his side as the season has progressed in his maiden year at the club and the frontline is looking very different from how it did during pre-season.
Anthony Martial was one of the main pillars of a front three consisting of himself, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho. But the Frenchman has endured yet another troublesome campaign as he continues to struggle with injuries.
There may be light at the end of the tunnel, however, with Ten Hag confirming in his pre-match press conference that Martial could be available to return from his most recent injury this weekend against Southampton.
“Yeah, but I think, all the time, we had a good plan and until now it [didn’t] always [work well]. But he is on his way back, he is back in training, but we will be cautious, yeah,” Ten Hag is quoted as saying on the official Manchester United website when asked whether Martial could make an appearance.
Martial has not played since the start of February and he has made just nine Premier League appearances in total this season, with six of them being starts.
Wout Weghorst was brought in January to add firepower to the squad following Cristiano Ronaldo’s controversial departure and the Dutchman has started all competitive games since he joined the club.
Martial’s return from injury will be helpful but there is little confidence among supporters that he will be able to stay fit. Hopefully, he can stay injury-free for the rest of the season.