Erik ten Hag: Anthony Martial is 'massive for us', Owen Hargreaves says Marcus Rashford has 'carried' Manchester United
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ByEurosport
Published 13/04/2023 at 18:55 GMT
Erik ten Hag says Anthony Martial is "really important" for Manchester United for the remainder of the season after returning from injury and with Marcus Rashford out of action. Martial was named in the starting XI for United's Europa League quarter-final first leg against Sevilla. Owen Hargreaves and Paul Scholes say United need a new source of goals with Rashford now absent.
Rashford 'not broken' by injury says Ten Hag
Erik ten Hag says Anthony Martial is "massive" for Manchester United with Marcus Rashford absent through injury.
Martial was named in United's starting line-up for their Europa League first leg against Sevilla for the first time since January, taking the place of Wout Weghorst up front.
Rashford, United's top scorer this season with 28 in all competitions, was substituted in the 80th minute of their 2-0 win over Everton in the Premier League on Saturday with a groin injury. The club confirmed on Wednesday that he would miss "a few games" but "is expected to be back for the season run-in".
Ten Hag believes Martial can contribute plenty of goals for United and is "really important" to his side.
"I think he's ready," the Dutchman told BT Sport before the first leg at Old Trafford. "Ready to play. He's rehabbed really carefully. Already he could have started against Everton. Now Rashford is injured and I think it's logical to play Anthony.
"Have you seen his last five seasons [number of appearances] at Old Trafford? I just so hope for him that he stays fit and that he gets some games in a row.
"I think he needs that for his confidence, for his belief. He will score, he will link up, he will do a good job also in the pressing so it's really important he keeps fit. When he keeps fit he's massive for us."
Martial has missed 32 of United's 49 games this season. Former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves says somebody other than Rashford needs to contribute more goals, with Fernandes second on the list with 10 goals.
"The biggest problem has been goalscoring," he said. "If you lose Marcus Rashford for whatever length of time it puts pressure on the rest of the players. Marcus has been the guy that has virtually carried the team, but somebody needs to step up.
"Martial is back fit. He could be the guy. Whether it's Martial or [Jadon] Sancho or Bruno Fernandes or [Christian] Eriksen to come back, but they need somebody to step up.
"When Rashford isn't there, or [Raphael] Varane or Lisandro Martinez or Casemiro, the replacements are not as strong as those options.
"It's a huge month with all the fixtures but somebody is going to have to step up because if Marcus is going to be missing for a time then we need another goalscorer."
Paul Scholes says it is perfect timing that Martial has returned with Rashford now absent.
"It makes the squad weaker [Rashford being injured]," he said. "I think the timing has been perfect for Martial. He's been eased into the team for the last three or four weeks.
"He's not been playing full games yet, but now he's back to start again. We all know he has the ability and I think across the front three there are goals in this team.
"You bring in Bruno Fernandes, Eriksen is on the bench. I still think there's a lot of goals in this team and there's more to come."
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