Erik ten Hag has raved over the benefits of Anthony Martial’s return to fitness at Manchester United – ensuring he shares the same stance on the Frenchman as club owner Joel Glazer.
The club’s Glazer family owners previously blocked Jose Mourinho’s attempts to sell the forward, when the former boss tried to allow Martial to leave in a move to tempt then-Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic to Old Trafford.
Glazer stepped in and refused to green-light the Frenchman's exit despite the clear benefits to Man United at the time. He even compared Martial to Brazilian icon Pele and clearly holds him in incredibly high regard.
Martial impressed in the central striking role for United in Thursday’s Europa League clash against Sevilla. He played a part in each of Marcel Sabitzer’s goals including a direct passing assist as he dropped deep and pressed the opposition's defence.
United confirmed fans' fears on Wednesday by announcing that Marcus Rashford – who has netted 28 goals and counting this season – would be out 'for a few games' through injury, but the impact of his absence has been lessened somewhat by Martial’s return.
The club are on the lookout for a central striker this summer with Martial and Rashford the only recognised senior strikers, with Wout Weghorst's loan deal expiring at the end of the campaign. A return to form and fitness for Martial may curb United’s summer spend on the position.
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"With Rashford injured, it's logical to play him," Ten Hag explained ahead of Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final first leg.
"I think Martial is ready to play. We did his rehab really carefully and planned it a lot. He could have started against Everton but we were patient. Is it a risk? Have you seen the last five seasons [with injuries]? I just hope for him, he stays fit and that he plays some games in a row because he needs that for his confidence."
Ten Hag then outlined three key ways in which Martial’s return would benefit his side: "When he's on the pitch he will score, he will link up, he will do a good job in the press, he is really important for us. When he's fit he is massive for us."
Martial has bagged seven goals in 18 United appearances this campaign but has netted just 86 times across his eight seasons at Old Trafford – a conversion rate which has seen him fluctuate in and out of the first team. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Romelu Lukaku, Edinson Cavani and Cristiano Ronaldo have all been signed in the years since, with the quartet all leaving United.
