Erik ten Hag provides update on Anthony Martial ahead of Sheriff Tiraspol

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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has revealed that Anthony Martial is yet to return to group training at Carrington.

The 26-year-old has missed the Red Devils last four games having come off after half an hour against Everton with a back problem.

During Ten Hag’s tenure, United’s number nine has already picked up hamstring, Achillies and back injuries.

The France international is yet to play more than 45 minutes for the twenty-time league champions in a game since the 2022-23 campaign kickstarted.

But the former Monaco man has an impressive return of three goals and two assists from 133 minutes of game time.

Erik ten Hag provides update on Anthony Martial

With the 30-time France international seemingly unavailable for tomorrow night’s Europa League Group E game against Sheriff Tiraspol at Old Trafford, the former Ajax manager may hand Cristiano Ronaldo his fifth consecutive start in the Europa League.

Having been reintegrated into the first-team fold after being dropped from the squad for Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea, following his early departure from the Theatre of Dreams while his teammates were beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at the Theatre of Dreams, Ten Hag has a decision to make on his number seven.

If the Dutchman wants to rest the likes of Marcus Rashford or Antony, then the five-time Ballon d’Or may earn a recall.

However, if the 52-year-old does start Rashford and Antony against the managerless Sheriff then Ronaldo could come into the side for Jadon Sancho.

United’s number seven scored his first goal of the season in Moldova when he scored a penalty in United’s 2-0 win against Sheriff last month in Chisinau, a game in which Sancho opened the scoring.

But as well as his compatriot Raphael Varane, the game against the Moldovan top-flight leaders comes too early for Martial.

Speaking to the club’s website on Martial, Ten Hag said: “He’s improving. He’s back on the [training] pitch, not in the group so we have to wait for that step. But hopefully he’s back [soon].”

With Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Donny van de Beek all back in training, Ten Hag revealed that the trio will be assessed in training before making a decision on their potential involvement tomorrow night.