Return Date Announced as Man United manager Erik ten Hag gives update on Anthony Martial injury situation

Erik ten Hag is unclear whether Anthony Martial will play for Manchester United again before the March international break.

United has up to six games left until the spring internationals, and Martial has missed 26 of United’s 40 games this season due to five different injuries.

The 27-year-old has been out for four weeks due to a hip injury, but he has begun individual training sessions and did some ball work during last week’s Carrington open session.

However, Martial has not played for United since the January 14 Manchester derby, and he last played 90 minutes in a Premier League encounter in January 2021.

United is hoping to trade Martial in the summer to partly finance a deal for a new goalscorer and Ten Hag clarified “save Anthony Martial, the availability from all the players is there”.

“I hope, but I don’t have any expectations,” Ten Hag said of Martial’s likely return in the next two and a half weeks. “Let him complete his task. He has dropped back too hastily several times now. Give him some space.

“Of course, I hope he’s on board, but for the time being, we’re doing quite well with this setup. When he is available, we have an extra and good option, so give him some time.

“We’ll be thrilled when he returns because we’ll have a terrific extra option, hopefully for the rest of the season.”

Despite their recent exertion, Ten Hag believes Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford will start against West Ham. Rashford came off with an apparent ankle injury against Barcelona last week after starting all eight of United’s games in February.

Since joining United in January 2020, Fernandes has never missed a game due to injury. “He’s in good shape,” Ten Hag remarked of Rashford.

“Well, [Fernandes] does, but he enjoys playing and doesn’t want to miss anything.”