Erik ten Hag hints at Anthony Martial importance to Manchester United after substitute vs Nottingham Forest

Erik ten Hag was asked about substituting Anthony Martial in Manchester United’s 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

The French striker started his second game in a row following the World Cup break and bagged his fifth goal of the season despite missing the majority of the campaign so far through numerous injuries.

Whilst Ten Hag has expressed that United are looking for a striker in the January transfer window, he has also been full of praise for the 27-year-old since joining the club.

It was another impressive performance from the centre-forward at Old Trafford. He was eventually replaced by Donny van de Beek 65 minutes into the game.

United face Wolves in just three days on New Year’s Day and will need a strong team for the test at the Molineux. Julen Lopetegui earned three points in his first Premier League game as boss at the club against Everton on Boxing Day.

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Ten Hag explained that replacing Martial on Tuesday was purely to ensure he is fresh for the next game and dismissed any talk of his injury history.

“His fitness is not a problem,” stated Ten Hag on Amazon Prime. “At the start [of the season] he was injured a lot but he’s fit to play.

“If the game against Wolves was not in three days I would keep him on,” he explained.

Marcus Rashford was the provider for his French counterpart on the night and also found the back of the net to score his 10th goal this season.

Ten Hag has been delighted with the form that the Englishman is showing this season.

“I am really happy with his performance once again. He is in a really good pattern and if he keeps this spirit it will be good for us and him.”