Erik ten Hag explains two reasons why Rasmus Højlund is benched for Man Utd vs Bournemouth

Erik ten Hag has explained why he has decided to field Anthony Martial over Rasmus Højlund as Manchester United face Bournemouth in the Premier League.

Manchester United welcome Bournemouth to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon as Erik ten Hag‘s team look to go level on points with fourth-placed Manchester City.

They have been on sparkling form in the Premier League of late, winning six of their last eight games in the competition, with no room for error as the competition enters it’s busiest period of the season.

Read More: Erik ten Hag provides Mason Mount injury update ahead of Man United vs Bournemouth

Although United’s form has been all over the place this season, there are no more international breaks scheduled until March, meaning Ten Hag and his Reds can galvanise and put together a good run of form across the next few matches in all competitions.

Ten Hag has opted to start Anthony Martial over Rasmus Højlund on Saturday afternoon, which comes as a slight surprise considering his minor spat with the French striker against Newcastle last weekend.

The Dutch manager has explained that there are two reasons why Martial starts over the 20-year-old, listing the upcoming fixtures and Martial’s display against Everton as to why he plays.

“Højlund has played a lot of games and there are a lot of games to come as well,” Ten Hag told MUTV ahead of the game.

“It’s also to give an opportunity to Anthony Martial who did very well against Everton. Not so well against Newcastle. He has to prove it every third day.”

After the Bournemouth tie, United will travel to face Liverpool at Anfield, hoping to right the wrongs of their infamous 7-0 defeat at the ground last season.

After Liverpool, they go to battle at Old Trafford once again, with Bayern Munich travelling to Manchester in the final game of the Champions League group stage. United currently sit bottom of their group and must beat Bayern and hope that the other fixture in the group, FC Copenhagen vs Galatasaray, ends in a draw. If not, they will be knocked out of the competition.