Erik ten Hag found a moment to rejoice as Manchester United turned around a 2-0 deficit against Aston Villa, securing a thrilling 3-2 victory at their home ground.
The Dutch manager had endured a frustrating period witnessing his team fail to score in the preceding four matches. As pressure mounted, the resurgence of his attacking players provided a much-needed sense of relief. Rasmus Hojlund finally broke through with his maiden Premier League goal after tirelessly attempting for months. Meanwhile, Alejandro Garnacho’s brace propelled the Red Devils towards a memorable triumph.
Anthony Martial, the French forward, was notably absent from the match day squad due to reported illness. Even if he had been fit, it’s dubious whether ten Hag would have chosen to start him against Unai Emery’s side.
Undoubtedly, Martial faces an uphill battle to reclaim a starting spot in the team, particularly with key players sidelined due to injuries. This scenario presents the only slim opportunity for him to regain prominence within the squad.
Speculation has arisen suggesting that a departure from Old Trafford might serve the best interests of all involved. However, ten Hag remains tight-lipped about the potential sale of the player in January, as reported by The Guardian. Despite the improbability of recouping the initial £38.5m fee paid for Martial in 2016, this financial aspect doesn’t seem to perturb figures like Sir Dave Brailsford or Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Their focus remains on collaborating with the manager during their initial months at Old Trafford.