Ten Hag’s selection decision was a hint he is saving Anthony Martial for Everton clash

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Anthony Martial‘s impressive cameo at the weekend against Manchester City was one of the very few positives to come out of the 6-3 defeat.

Martial scored three goals in pre-season and looked set to lead the line for United, before injury struck. Ten Hag admitted the team were impacted badly by his absence.

There would have been a temptation to throw Martial in to start against Omonia on Thursday night. Ten Hag resisted.

With United playing two matches in four days, he has had to manage the Frenchman’s minutes carefully, describing the forwards’ return to the side as ‘a process’.

So it appeared to be a calculated decision which saw Martial left on the bench against Omonia, with Cristiano Ronaldo starting in his place, who was an unused substitute against City.

Ten Hag saving Anthony Martial for Everton clash

Ronaldo played all 90 minutes, failing to score, and everything looks like a real effort for him at the moment. Scoring goals used to come naturally for him, now it’s a struggle.

Martial has had this experience in the past too. His performances at the start of the 2020/21 season were laboured, and the start of his recent downfall, from which he is only just recovering.

Right now Martial is flying, everything looks effortless for him, the total opposite of Ronaldo. He scored against Omonia, following up his brace against City.

In 104 minutes this season he has scored three goals, averaging a strike every 35 minutes. Add in his assist against Liverpool, and he is averaging a goal contribution every 21 minutes.

Ten Hag was effectively saving Martial for the Everton game on Sunday, with his decision to start him on the bench a heavy hint he will offer him a starting role at Goodison.

Ronaldo’s struggles underlined the stance Ten Hag appears to be taking, that Martial should come in to start on Sunday night.

Martial’s link-up play with Marcus Rashford was further evidence of the qualities he can bring to the team, receiving an assist from the number 10 for his goal.

Rashford described Martial as ‘unbelievable’ , while Omonia boss Neil Lennon expressed how difficult it was to defend against the pair.

The decision to save Martial for the Everton game could be a masterstroke from Ten Hag. The forward has kept his momentum going with his goal, without over-exerting himself for 90 minutes.