Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said that he is hopeful Anthony Martial will be fit enough to play against Newcastle United on Sunday, but told his players they need to find a way to win the game without him if required.
The French forward went off with a back injury in the 2-1 victory over Everton last weekend, with his replacement, Cristiano Ronaldo, coming on the score the winner against the Toffees.
The 26-year-old has been absent for eight of the Reds' 12 games this season, having sustained hamstring and Achilles injuries earlier in the campaign.
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Despite the forward's strong start to the season - with the former Monaco man scoring three times in four appearances this term - Ten Hag insisted it is down to the club's other players to ensure his side are victorious against Newcastle on Sunday afternoon.
When asked if the Frenchman would be fit to play against the Magpies on Sunday, the Dutchman said that it was too soon to make the call.
''I can’t say in this moment [if Martial will be available]. It’s too early to say something about that. We have to wait, we have to see how it progresses in the coming hours," he told club media "Of course, we hope he will be available but if not, we do it with other players because it’s always about the players who are available and we have a good squad, as you see, and also subs can make a difference. If he is not available, then we have to do it with other players. We will have 20 in the squad and they have to win this game.''
Martial scored a brace against Manchester City in the derby defeat on his last return from injury, with the Frenchman also on target for United against Omonia in the Reds' away victory over the Cypriot outfit.
Should the 26-year-old fail to prove his fitness before the clash against Newcastle, Ten Hag could call on Ronaldo to start. The Portuguese international scored his 700th club goal in the 2-1 win over Frank Lampard's men.
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