Erik ten Hag admits Anthony Martial concerns and reiterates desire to bring in attacking cover for Marcus Rashford | Football News

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag admits he will have to cover in attack for Marcus Rashford with Anthony Martial struggling to manage the load.

Martial has had a troubled pre-season, and has been unable to complete 90 minutes this term due to an injury campaign.

But the Frenchman has scored twice and featured in United’s last seven games. United have won six of those games, largely thanks to Rashford’s impressive form, which has seen the England international collect five goals and three assists in his last five games.

United are in the market for a striker in January and are exploring the possibility of signing Burnley’s Wout Weghorst on loan, who is currently on loan at Besiktas.

Asked ahead of Tuesday’s Carabao Cup visit to Charlton if the team is now too reliant on Rashford, Ten Hag said: “There’s a reason. [Anthony Martial has been substituted in his last seven games]. It is because he cannot manage the burden. This is why we are looking for another attacker.

“It’s not about us not trusting him. His physical load is not so high now, so he can play three times a day for 90 minutes. So I have to manage together with him.

“Now we are on a thin line because Anthony Martial’s qualities are now very important to our game. His movement, security of the ball, pressure, don’t forget. We need that profile to be a threat.

“Also, Marcus Rashford benefited from that. So I’m not worried if it’s just Marcus scoring goals, because I’m sure of the other players. [can score too].

“Not only Anthony Martial, but Antony scored goals [in the 3-1 FA Cup win against Everton]. Bruno Fernandes can also score goals, Christian Eriksen will create and can also score goals. So we have more players who can score goals.”

Rashford has been the focal point of United’s team, despite being dropped from the starting line-up for United’s game at Wolves on New Year’s Eve after oversleeping and missing a team meeting.

The England forward came off the bench to score the winner in the 1-0 win at Molineux, and the Ten Hag said he was not surprised by Rashford’s response to the foul play.

“There might be a risk [to drop Rashford] but if you want to develop something, if you want to create a winning attitude, a winning culture, you have to go this way, in my opinion,” he said.

“If you allow them to be undisciplined, if they don’t live up to the standards, the values ​​and the rules that we set as a team – the staff and the players – it will come back. [on you] and blow up in your face on the field.

“Because, on the pitch, they will not behave with the discipline required to win games at the highest level of football.

Ten Hag added: “If it’s the right person, the right human being, the right character, they will react like this.

“In relation to Marcus, I’m pretty sure because I’ve known him now for seven or eight months. I was expecting this reaction that he showed.”

Martinez: Rashford can be anything he wants

Lisandro Martinez, meanwhile, has echoed the views of Manchester United team-mate Casemiro by saying Rashford could be one of the best players in the world.

Casemiro recently described the 25-year-old as a “spectacular” player who could be one of the top five in the world, and World Cup winner Martinez said Sky Sports News he shared the opinion of Brazilians.

“For me, Rashy is an incredible player,” Martinez said. “He can be whatever he wants to be, it’s all up to him.

“I see him on the pitch and he’s a professional. I know how much he gives every day in training sessions, and I like to think that I’m always there to help him and talk to him if he needs advice.

“I completely agree with Casemiro. He is a key player for us and he is a player who can change the game quickly.

“But it’s not just about the individual aspect, it’s also about his work rate. He has a team ethic and a team spirit about him.

“He knows the importance of the team and his work rate for the team is also very important.

“He has a great attitude and I think he will be one of the best players in the world.”

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Who will move this season? The January transfer window is open Sunday January 1, 2023 and close it at 11 p.m at Tuesday 31 January 2023.

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