Erik ten Hag confirms 'really important' United star is available to face Southampton

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Anthony Martial could make his comeback during Sunday’s Premier League clash against Southampton at Old Trafford.

The Frenchman has suffered five separate injuries during the current campaign and he has not played for the last five weeks after aggravating his hip problem at Nottingham Forest.

Martial returned to full training prior to the Real Betis game and Ten Hag has now confirmed that the 27-year-old is ready to make the matchday squad against the Saints.

However, the Dutchman added that he will be cautious with the versatile forward.

He told Manutd.com: “Yeah, but I think, all the time, we had a good plan and until now it [didn’t] always [work well].”But he is on his way back, he is back in training, but we will be cautious, yeah.”

Meanwhile, Ten Hag provided a positive injury update on Christian Eriksen, who suffered a long-term ankle injury in January after a reckless tackle from Reading’s Andy Carroll.

The manager remains optimistic that the Dane will play again before the end of the season.

He added: “I think he [Eriksen] will play [again in 2022/23]. Definitely. But I can’t tell now an expectation, but I think his progress in the rehab is okay. It is going according to plan, so definitely we will see him. But not before the international break.”

Martial could be fighting for his Man Utd future

Martial has registered an impressive tally of six goals and two assists from 14 games this term, but he has failed to stay unscathed over a prolonged period of time.

The Frenchman has already missed 28 games for the club with injuries and he is now facing a crucial period in his United career before the end of the season.

Ten Hag recently said that he is a ‘really important‘ player for the team but the forward needs to prove his fitness to ensure that he continues at the club beyond the summer.

United are already on the hunt for a marquee striker signing and it has been reported that Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane is the priority target for the manager.

Aside from pursuing a new centre-forward, Ten Hag may also decide to keep Weghorst on a permanent deal. Hence, Martial is facing a make-or-break spell at United.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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