Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has explained his decision to withdraw Anthony Martial at the interval of Saturday's Premier League clash with Manchester City.
The France international was a doubt for the Manchester derby due to a leg injury, but he was named in the first XI and played the opening 45 minutes of what proved to be a 2-1 victory for the Red Devils.
Martial has spent time out with hamstring, Achilles and back injuries this season, and Ten Hag has said that the 27-year-old's fitness is currently being carefully managed.
"I hope to avoid that he [Martial] was getting injured [by bringing him off]," Ten Hag told reporters on Tuesday. "He was complaining, so that's why he also didn't train in the week and why he was a question mark.
"He and we both decided that he had to start because his start would be so important in this game [against City] with his pace. Especially with pressing, he is really good and he is a really big element in our pressing, I needed that before half time.
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"We decided, and he decided as well... he begged to start because I knew the start would be so important in this game. Especially because he is really good with his pressing and he is a really big element in our pressing, and he did that really well before half time.
"But also you saw he was not capable to go 100% and that's what you need. Also, to avoid him getting injured, we took him off, and it also had an impact on our game, a negative impact after half time."
Martial is therefore a major doubt for Wednesday's Premier League clash with Crystal Palace, but Wout Weghorst has trained this week following his arrival on loan from Burnley.
The Netherlands international is available for selection against the Eagles, although Ten Hag has refused to reveal whether he will be involved at Selhurst Park.
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"I have to think about that (Weghorst debut)," Ten Hag told reporters. "First, we will settle down for this game and make the right conclusions, then we will make a clear plan. I have to see about their players, as we have already faced Palace in pre-season and I know how their team is.
"The total plan I don't have now and I haven't constructed it. From this point on we can construct and prepare the team in the right way."
Marcus Rashford also picked up a knock against Man City, but the in-form attacker is expected to be available for selection against Palace.
The 20-time English champions have won each of their last nine matches in all competitions, including their last five in the Premier League, which has left them fourth in the table, only one point behind second-placed Man City.
Matt Law
