Wout Weghorst’s Comments Hint at Trouble for Anthony Martial’s Future at Manchester United
Anthony Martial could return to Manchester United’s squad when they face Newcastle in the Premier League this weekend.
Anthony Martial will be at Newcastle this weekend.
The French forward hasn’t played for United since a brief cameo against Nottingham Forest last month, and has only made 14 appearances for them across all competitions in a season that has been packed with opportunities.
Despite his limited playing time, the 27-year-old has six goals this season and impressed last summer as part of an irresistible forward line.
“When he is there, he’s really important for us because we play our best football when he is available,” Erik ten Hag insisted back in January, though they haven’t had that luxury enough this season.
“When he is there, he’s really important for us because we play our best football when he is available,” Erik ten Hag insisted back in January, though they haven’t had that luxury enough this season.
Martial has missed 30 games this season due to five separate absences, including hip, back, Achilles, and hamstring injuries. It’s been 18 months since he last played 90 minutes for United, and only one of his 14 appearances this season has lasted more than 72 minutes.
Even when Martial is deemed match-ready again, there is no guarantee he will play.
Wout Weghorst has capitalized on the Frenchman’s latest setback, and has recently admitted how ‘injury prone’ his attacking rival has been.
“All Ten Hag said was that he needed a striker who could fit into his way of playing,” Weghorst explained while on international duty. “Anthony Martial was his striker, and he was doing fine – but he is injury-prone, and the manager wanted all positions double-staffed. He certainly did not paint the picture as it is now.”
Even the Dutchman is surprised by the extent of his involvement this season, and it will be interesting to see what role he plays for the rest of it.
Under the current United manager, Martial has started just eight games and played fewer minutes than Weghorst, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Harry Maguire this season.
While Ten Hag clearly rates the 27-year-old, it is understood that he has now lost patience with him, and despite believing he could bring the best out of the forward, he is now faced with the same dilemma as his predecessors.
Martial retains a devoted fan base that fuels his public image as an exceptional center-forward, but the reality is that eight years after joining the club, he remains an unreliable option who frustrates far more than he scores.
The fact that he is still at United after so many false dawns speaks volumes about the club’s problems, and no matter how well he performs between now and the end of the season, they cannot afford to be enticed into giving him another.
Other comments made by Weghorst during the international break explain what the United manager expects from his players and hint at why Martial’s time at the club may be coming to an end this summer.
“Ten Hag did say clearly, ‘It is up to you; you can force things, and the best one plays,” he added.
“He told me to just follow his plan because Ten Hag is a manager who places a high value on task-conscious play.” The manager then told me that I would have to do some defensive work in the role.”
With so much at stake between now and the end of the season, United’s team selections will be influenced not only by availability, but also by who the manager truly believes he can rely on.
While Weghorst isn’t particularly dangerous in front of goal, he is consistent in his work rate and defensive output, whereas Martial has struggled with consistency throughout his time at the club.
Martial may be returning, but that doesn’t mean he’ll play.
