Anthony Martial looked to be in the mix for a starting berth at Manchester United this season, but has struggled for fitness playing just 133 minutes in all competitions
Anthony Martial has handed Manchester United a major boost ahead of Thursday’s crunch Europa league tie away to Real Sociedad.
Martial, who has missed 13 of United’s 17 games this season with different injuries, has returned to training and is in contention for the final group game. United must beat La Real by at least two clear goals in order to top Group E and go straight through to the last 16 stage, avoiding a play-off game in the last 32.
Failure to top the group could hand Erik ten Hag’s side an unenviable last 32 tie against the likes of Barcelona, Juventus, Ajax and Atletico Madrid, all of whom have dropped into the competition from the Champions League.
With Cristiano Ronaldo absent from United’s pre-season tour, Martial was given a chance to stake a claim for a starting role and impressed the new boss. He appeared to be the frontrunner to lead the line, only for his familiar injury struggles to return.