Erik ten Hag admits Manchester United are treading “a thin line” with Anthony Martial as the striker cannot play 90 minutes every three days. Marcus Rashford is United’s top scorer with 13 goals and Martial has tallied five. Rashford has struck in his last five games and is effectively carrying an attack Ten Hag regards as light following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure.
Erik ten Hag said: “Anthony is subbed – there is a reason because he can’t match the load for many games. That is why we are looking for another striker, it’s not about that we don’t rely on him. But his physical load is not in this moment so high that he can’t play every third day a game of 90 minutes, so I have to manage that together with him. We are really on a thin line in this moment because his profile, the quality of Anthony Martial, is so important for our game. His movements, his ball security, he brings a lot for the team, the pressing – let’s not forget that. So we need [Martial and Rashford] to be a threat. And also Marcus Rashford takes benefit from that. So I am not concerned that only Marcus Rashford scores so many goals.”
Antony claimed his first United goal in almost three months in the 3-1 FA Cup victory over Everton for his fourth of the campaign while Bruno Fernandes is on a modest three. Ten Hag is still confident the duo will be prominent in the goalscoring charts.
Erik Ten Hag said: “I am convinced other players like Martial, but also Antony scores a goal, we know also Bruno Fernandes is very capable to score a goal and Christian Eriksen will create and also is capable of scoring a goal. So we have more players who can score goals.”
