Man Utd duo set to make timely return and could play final matches for the club
Erik ten Hag has welcomed Anthony Martial and Jonny Evans back into Manchester United training for what could be their final weeks at Old Trafford.
“Jonny Evans returned today for team training. Tomorrow we are off and then two days until the game. Martial was partly in team training,” Ten Hag told reporters in his press conference previewing Monday’s game vs Crystal Palace.
Martial makes his return after undergoing groin surgery in January and has not featured since United’s defeat to Bournemouth in December. The French forward was set to be out for 10 weeks after going under the knife but saw his return to training delayed.
Northern Irish defender Evans returned to the club in September on a one-year deal. The defender, who won the Premier League three times in his first stint with the club, has featured 25 times for the Red Devils this term. Both returning players are set to see their contracts expire this summer and could be in contention to play their final matches in the coming weeks.
It’s less positive news on the whole for Ten Hag though, who confirmed he will definitely be without Marcus Rashford, and could yet also be missing Bruno Fernandes.
Fernandes suffered an issue following United’s game against Burnley and has been declared a doubt by Ten Hag. The midfielder is a nominee for April’s Premier League player of the month and has delivered 15 goals and 11 assists as the club’s chief threat.
The Dutch manager has suggested that Fernandes can not be ruled out of the match and also hinted that Scott McTominay will return to training this weekend. The Scotland international’s readiness to face the Eagles will also need to be assessed however.
Erik ten Hag applauding after Manchester United v Burnley
Ten Hag said in his press conference: “Scott didn’t train so far this week but I expect him back in training on Saturday and we have to see if he’s 100% available or for a part of the game. After the game (vs Burnley), we had an issue with Bruno. He is a doubt for Monday, we all know Bruno, never rule him out for any game. He will do his best to be available.
Ten Hag remains without the likes of Marcus Rasford, Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane through injury. The Dutchman pointed towards that as having an impact on his side, but accepted the club had still been below expectations.
He said: “Always a lot of work, it sounds a little bit like, it’s normal. But when you go into a transfer window but the injuries had a big impact. We know also we are still below the levels from the expectations Manchester United has so we have to catch up and I’m now going into my fifth window, two windows quite okay, two we missed, we have to make new improvements to the squad. But there is a base of this squad that is very good.”
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