MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 18:13:06| >> :60:560:560:

Erik ten Hag challenges Anthony Martial amid strong start to pre-season

Ten Hag challenges Martial amid strong start to pre-season
© Reuters
Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag challenges Anthony Martial to remain focused amid a strong start to pre-season for the Frenchman.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that it is "up to" Anthony Martial to prove himself this summer.

The France international struggled for regular starts in the first half of the 2021-22 campaign, which saw him move to Sevilla on loan during the January transfer window.

Martial found it difficult to make his mark for the Spanish outfit, though, managing only one goal and one assist in 12 appearances in all competitions.

Earlier this summer, it had been thought that the 26-year-old would be on his way out of Old Trafford, but Edinson Cavani has departed on a free transfer, while there is speculation surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo's future.

As a result, it is believed that the decision has been made for Martial to stay with the club this summer.

Manchester United's Anthony Martial celebrates scoring on July 12, 2022© Reuters

The forward has made an impressive start to pre-season, finding the back of the net against Liverpool on Tuesday before registering once again in Friday's 4-1 success over Melbourne Victory.

Ten Hag has seemingly confirmed that Martial will be remaining at the club for the 2022-23 campaign, and the head coach has challenged the former Monaco youngster to have "the right focus".

"I'm sure he can come back even better," Ten Hag told reporters. "I think when he has the right focus and the right motivation and he works hard he will have production because he is a good player. I say when he has the right focus and every day delivers much then he will have production and it's up to him."

Martial still has two years left to run on his contract with the Red Devils, and he has been training with the club since the start of pre-season on June 27.

He has represented Man United on 269 occasions since his arrival from Monaco in 2015, finding the back of the net 79 times in all competitions, in addition to contributing 50 assists.

 Manchester United's Anthony Martial celebrates scoring their first goal, October 5, 2021© Reuters

Martial impressed as a centre-forward during the 2019-20 campaign, scoring 23 goals and registering 12 assists in 48 outings, but he only scored once in the league in the first half of last term before joining Sevilla.

Ten Hag also provided updates on the fitness of David de Gea and Raphael Varane, with neither player in the squad for the clash against Victory.

De Gea picked up a small issue against Liverpool on Tuesday and was not risked for the team's second match of the summer, while "something small" also kept Varane out of the contest.

"You saw against Liverpool he [De Gea] fell out but he trains already, he is back on the training pitch, no big worry. Raphael Varane also training but something small and I expect him back on the training pitch," Ten Hag added.

Man United will take on Crystal Palace in their next pre-season match on Tuesday before facing Aston Villa in their final game of their Australia tour next weekend.

ID:490151:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4902:
Written by
Matt Law

Click here for more stories about Edinson Cavani

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Chelsea's Hakim Ziyech pictured in November 2021
Read Next:
Man United 'could move for Hakim Ziyech this summer'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Fulham166642422224
10Brentford157263128323
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton153661421-715
16Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!