Advertisement
Manchester United attacker Antony. Imago/PA Images

Martial remains an absentee as Ten Hag mulls over Antony's inclusion against Arsenal

Martial has been ruled out with an Achilles injury since an impressive second-half impact against Liverpool.

ANTHONY MARTIAL WILL again be missing for Manchester United this weekend and Erik ten Hag is weighing up how best to use big-money signing Antony against Arsenal.

After kicking off his reign with galling losses to Brighton and Brentford, the Dutch manager followed the key victory against rivals Liverpool with a pair of a dogged 1-0 wins on the road.

Martial missed the opening two games of the season with a hamstring complaint and returned as a half-time substitute against Jurgen Kloppโ€™s Reds, providing the assist for Marcus Rashfordโ€™s decisive goal.

But an Achilles complaint ruled the France international out of the away triumphs at Southampton and Leicester, with the forward lied low again when table-topping Arsenal come to Old Trafford on Saturday.

โ€œAnthony Martial will not be involved for Sunday,โ€ Ten Hag said. โ€œI cannot tell in this moment [when he will be available again].โ€

Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissakaโ€™s availability is less clear after the full-backโ€™s both missed Thursdayโ€™s 1-0 win at the King Power Stadium with โ€œsmall complaintsโ€.

Asked about their availability for Sunday, Ten Hag said: โ€œItโ€™s difficult to say when I talk about Luke Shaw and Aaron.โ€

The United manager tends to keep his cards close to his chest but has shown with Casemiro that he will not necessarily throw new signings straight into his line-up.

The 30-year-old has started from the bench in both matches since joining from Real Madrid for an initial ยฃ60million and compatriot Antony could be in the same boat.

The Brazil forward reunites with his former Ajax boss in the north west having completed his signing for ยฃ80.6million plus add-ons ahead of Thursdayโ€™s transfer deadline.

โ€œ[Thursday] he did his first training, individual,โ€ Ten Hag said.

โ€œ[Friday] we have a team session and Saturday we have a team session, so I will think about it and then we will take a decision.โ€

Ten Hag will also think about whether to give Casemiro his first start on Sunday as a frantic fixture schedule begins to pick up pace.

โ€œIt is an option but I also have to [think it over],โ€ the United manager said. โ€œI have seen Arsenal, a tough opponent.

โ€œTheyโ€™ve started really well, as we all know. In the season you can see thereโ€™s a team who are longer together, with a coach who is bringing his philosophy in the team, so for us itโ€™s a good test.

โ€œIโ€™m really looking forward [to it] and we will pick the right XI to start.

โ€œBut as you see, itโ€™s not only a team. We have a squad.

โ€œAlso today the subs who came on did really well, so Iโ€™m happy with that and that is what we have to construct further.โ€

Cristiano Ronaldo and Fred joined Casemiro in coming off the bench to see out a win that had meticulous Ten Hagโ€™s fingerprints on it โ€“ a far cry from last monthโ€™s shambolic 4-0 loss at Brentford.

โ€œI have seen some good stuff,โ€ he said at the King Power Stadium. โ€œItโ€™s more than details but I see structures are coming.

โ€œWe are constructing and thatโ€™s good to see. But we have to do that and improve from game to game.

โ€œThat is work on the training ground, that is work on the video and that is work in the games.

โ€œItโ€™s about formation, about getting and creating lines and then making the right decisions.

โ€œBut also the decisions on the ball and out of possession, we are making good steps, we have a base but thereโ€™s still a lot of room for improvement.โ€

An area that has improved markedly is defensive solidity, with Ten Hagโ€™s decision to partner Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez at centre-back bringing three wins and two clean sheets.

โ€œCollectively, I see the whole team is defending and that makes it more easy for our defenders,โ€ the United manager added.

โ€œBut I think what they do well is co-operate and they do it together, they support each other and then they have a good performance.

โ€œItโ€™s difficult for opponents to create chances and I think this is what weโ€™re seeing on the pitch.โ€

Close
Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Ellis
    Favourite Shane Ellis
    Report
    Aug 12th 2012, 1:23 PM

    After the highs and lows of a great Olympics we are now back to watching pampered millionaires diving, cheating and throwing tantrums. Love football but sick of all the shite that goes with it.

    62
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan mulvey
    Favourite Alan mulvey
    Report
    Aug 12th 2012, 1:18 PM

    ahhhhhhhhhh football thank god ur back

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fergus Lynch
    Favourite Fergus Lynch
    Report
    Aug 12th 2012, 8:48 PM

    Itโ€™s been on all Summer. Sligo are winning OUR league.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ferg Breen
    Favourite Ferg Breen
    Report
    Aug 12th 2012, 2:15 PM

    Torres scores and Ivanovic sent off already.
    Good to have football back!
    Was a definite red card. Dirty challenge.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kris Mc Closkey
    Favourite Kris Mc Closkey
    Report
    Aug 12th 2012, 2:14 PM

    That red card was very well deserved!!! Dirtbag!!!

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kris Mc Closkey
    Favourite Kris Mc Closkey
    Report
    Aug 12th 2012, 2:16 PM

    There was nothing to charitable about that tackle!!!

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jonny California
    Favourite Jonny California
    Report
    Aug 12th 2012, 11:45 PM

    Things are getting bad now . I walked past the tv and two Chelsea players fell over . Will surely be booked for diving .

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Hughes
    Favourite Stephen Hughes
    Report
    Aug 12th 2012, 1:37 PM

    Weโ€™re is this on, only on line ??

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute vv7k7Z3c
    Favourite vv7k7Z3c
    Report
    Aug 12th 2012, 1:38 PM

    It is on ITV/UTV right now.

    16
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel