Gary Neville thinks Ten Hag made a ‘bizarre’ decision v Bournemouth

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Pundit Gary Neville has questioned Erik ten Hag’s decision to start Anthony Martial in Manchester United’s attack against Bournemouth.

Just when you think United are turning a corner, there is another dire result coming.

Wednesday’s win over Chelsea seemed to be a step in the right direction with United deservedly victorious.

United couldn’t build on that though, slumping to a 3-0 home defeat against Bournemouth as the pressure ramps up on Erik ten Hag again.

Ten Hag now faces a big week with Bayern Munich and Liverpool on the horizon – and that may explain one of his decisions on Saturday.

Gary Neville baffled by Anthony Martial inclusion against Bournemouth

The Dutchman may be tempted to make changes ahead of the Bayern clash and he will surely make a switch up front.

Anthony Martial was given another chance in United’s attack despite looking pretty disinterested against Newcastle United last weekend.

The Frenchman has come in for major criticism and many are looking for him to leave the club at the end of the season.

It’s almost surprising that Martial is still at the club having flattered to deceive for the majority of his time at United since arriving back in 2015.

Gary Neville suggested just a few days ago that United hadn’t got rid of Martial out of pure fear that he would fulfil his potential elsewhere.

Neville has now stated on The Gary Neville Podcast that he accepts Ten Hag should be doing better right now and highlighted the ‘bizarre’ decision to start Martial against Bournemouth.

Neville seemingly feels that Martial has been given more than enough chances to lead United’s attack, adding that losing to the Cherries was a ‘disgrace’.

“Yes, Erik ten Hag should be doing better, Martial playing up front was bizarre, the style of play isn’t there, the players need to do a lot better – some of the performances, individually and collectively, are shambolic. That result yesterday is, to be fair, a disgrace and I can’t believe it. Well done to Bournemouth, but it should not happen,” he added.

Manchester United need Rasmus Hojlund this week

The best explanation we can give is that Ten Hag may have been trying to keep Rasmus Hojlund fresh for games against Bayern and Liverpool.

The Dane’s minutes have been managed very carefully this season having arrived from Atalanta with a back problem.

Add in a muscle strain in November and Ten Hag seemingly feels that he can’t just play Hojlund week in and week out.

Ten Hag will likely want Hojlund available for Bayern and Liverpool, so he went with Martial for another anonymous performance.

Surely Martial won’t be starting against Bayern on Tuesday night, especially with United in do-or-die mode for this final Champions League group stage game.