Anthony Martial given Erik ten Hag pep talk as one big issue holding Man Utd star back is revealed

Erik ten Hag has praised the “quality” that Anthony Martial has brought to Manchester United this season, although he has had to talk with the striker over one problem.

Martial is back in the Manchester United fold this season after falling out of favour last term. He spent the first six months of 2022 on loan at Sevilla, in a spell that was largely disappointing.

But the appointment of Ten Hag has given Martial a new lease of life back in Manchester. The Frenchman has taken advantage of Cristiano Ronaldo’s pre-season absence, for example, to gain more trust at Old Trafford.

He enjoyed a positive pre-season, in which he scored in three consecutive friendlies. It was a feat that was last achieved at the club by Ronaldo, more than a decade previously.

So far, since Ten Hag took charge, Martial has been given four competitive appearances in all competitions. He has made at least one goal contribution in each of them, leading up to a tally of three goals and two assists between the Premier League and the Europa League.

However, things have been a bit stop-start for the 26-year-old. He missed the first two matches of the season with a hamstring injury, before making his debut for the season against Liverpool and marking it with an assist.

Soon after, though, he suffered an Achilles injury, which kept him out until the September international break. Since his return at the start of October, Martial has managed a brace against Manchester City, a goal against Omonia Nicosia, and an assist against Everton.

However, he had to be taken off in the first half of that match against Everton due to injury. Now, Ten Hag has confirmed that Martial is not in contention to play the next fixture against Omonia on Thursday.

He missed training on Wednesday, although Ten Hag said at his press conference that day that “we will see” if he can recover in time for Sunday’s next Premier League encounter, against Newcastle United.

Ten Hag sends message to Anthony Martial

Overall, though, Ten Hag has been speaking with Martial about his fitness issues. He would like to see him shake them off if it means he can contribute to the levels he has been showing on a more regular basis.

“I have had several talks with him about that, it is really disappointing for him,” Ten Hag said.

“I think from the quality and all the minutes he played, he played very well. Also on Sunday.

“He got a good assist for Antony’s goal. But also in the pressing he was really good and he was an important factor in us playing so well in the first half.

“But obviously, he fell out and that is a disappointment for him and for the team as well.

“Of course, I want every player to be available. Sometimes it’s disappointing when they’re not available, especially with all the games coming up and when they’re not available you have to deal with the situation and I focus on the players available.”

Martial has scored 82 goals from 273 appearances across his Manchester United career, which began in 2015. The former Monaco forward has also provided 52 assists in the red shirt.

In Martial’s absence on Thursday, perhaps there could be a chance for Ronaldo to start. Manchester United have also confirmed that Marcus Rashford has been back in training, but only recently.

They will hope to have as many options as possible fit and firing before their return to a domestic focus at the weekend.

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