Erik ten Hag has explained his thinking for Wout Weghorst’s Manchester United debut after being hit with another attacking injury blow.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed he has been dealt a fresh injury blow ahead of Wednesday’s Premier League trip to Crystal Palace. And the Red Devils boss has revealed his plan for new signing Wout Weghorst’s debut after joining on a short loan from Burnley.
United travel to Selhurst Park searching for a 10th successive win, riding the momentum from Saturday’s sensational 2-1 derby victory against Manchester City. Anthony Martial was a doubt heading into the clash but started at Old Trafford before Ten Hag withdrew him at half-time after not looking 100 per cent.
And the Dutchman has since confirmed that Martial wasn’t fully fit and was ‘complaining’ about an injury after the first half, leading to his withdrawal. “I hoped to avoid that he was getting injured, but he was complaining.” Ten Hag told reporters.”That’s why he also didn’t train in the week and was a question mark [for the derby].
“We decided – and he decided as well – to start. He begged to start. I knew the start would be so important in this game, and he is really good at pressing, and he is a really big element in our pressing.
Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag has ruled Anthony Martial as a doubt for Crystal Palace. (Image: BEANYMAN SPORTS)
“But I needed to re-evaluate at half-time. As you saw, he was not capable to go 100 per cent, and this is what you need. And also to avoid him getting injured, so we took him off, but it also had a negative impact on our game after half-time.”
Martial will be considered a doubt for the Palace game, but Ten Hag now has another option after recruiting Weghorst last week. Following the Man City triumph, he confirmed he would consider handing the 30-year-old his United debut in south London.
He said: “I have to think about that [Weghorst debut against Palace]. First, settle down after this game, make the right conclusions and then we will make a clear plan for Palace.
Man Utd have signed Wout Weghorst on loan. (Image: Getty)
“Of course, I know a lot about Palace – we faced them also in pre-season and know how their team is – but the total plan I don’t have now. I didn’t construct it until now.
“So from this point on, we can construct the plan and prepare the team in the right way.”
The Red Devils could make a handful of changes midweek as they prepare for Sunday’s top-of-the-table trip to the Emirates Stadium, where Premier League leaders Arsenal await.
West Ham want £80m Harry Maguire on loan to save their season after losing Man Utd spot
Manchester United outcast Harry Maguire is being eyed up by West Ham who are eager to save their season as they languish in the Premier League’s relegation zone
Harry Maguire is being targeted by West Ham (Image: Phil Oldham/REX/Shutterstock)
West Ham want to sign Harry Maguire to save their season after the defender lost his spot in Manchester United’s squad.
The Hammers languish in 18th spot in the Premier League as it enters the latter stages of the season, and David Moyes reckons Maguire could be the man to help them avoid relegation, according to The Mirror. Maguire’s fallen out-of-favour at United since the arrival of Erik ten Hag last summer.
Under Ten Hag, Maguire’s only made eight appearances in 18 of United’s games in the current campaign. And the England international’s plight is unlikely to improve with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez marshalling the Red Devils’ back four.
West Ham’s interest in Maguire has been further exacerbated by the possible exit of centre-back Craig Dawson, who’s being tracked by Wolves. But Hammers fans may not be happy with Dawson being replaced by Maguire as they declared their defensive stalwart is better than the United ace last year.
A move to the London Stadium could be just what Maguire needs to get his career back on track, and rediscover the form that prompted United to splash £80million to sign him from from Leicester in 2019, making him the world’s most expensive defender at the time.
The Hammers are in the relegation zone and think Maguire could be the man to help save their season (Image: CameraSport via Getty
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Maguire’s fallen out of favour at Man United this season (Image: Offside via Getty Images)
But his stock has plummeted since then and he’s become a target of some of the smaller clubs in the Prem such as West Ham, and Aston Villa. Villa have also been eyeing up a move for Maguire in January’s transfer window, according to reports.
It was suggested last week by talkPSORT pundit Anil Kandola that Maguire’s switch to Villa Park was on the verge of being finalised, although his claim is yet to come to fruition. And former Manchester City ace Joleon Lescott urged Maguire not to turn down a move to Villa as he needs regular playing time to keep his spot in the Three Lions’ squad going forward.
Source: express.co.uk; dailystar.co.uk
