Erik ten Hag cannot rely on Anthony Martial in the FA Cup final against Manchester City this Saturday. The French striker has suffered a hamstring injury, bringing his season to an early end. As a result, Manchester United’s infirmary continues to fill up. Ten Hag also misses Antony and the injured Marcel Sabitzer, Lisandro Martínez and Donny van de Beek at Wembley.
Martial has been struggling with injuries this season. The 27-year-old Frenchman missed 33 of United’s 62 games due to six different injuries. As a result, Ten Hag cannot rely on Martial and deemed it necessary in the winter to attract a new striker in the person of Wout Weghorst. The Dutchman started nineteen games in a row, but also failed to make an indelible impression. Weghorst, who normally returns to Burnley after this season, was good for just two goals and three assists in thirty games. In the Premier League he was not accurate.
Due to the likely departure of Weghorst and the injury sensitivity of Martial, United want to go for a new striker on the transfer market this season. The English would also bet on a sale of Martial, who will run out of contract at Old Trafford next summer. The striker, who last completed the ninety minutes in January 2021, must make room for a new attack leader. Harry Kane is said to be Ten Hag’s dream candidate. The striker has The Sun a clear plan in mind. Either he leaves for United this summer, or he leaves Tottenham on a free transfer next year and then goes to the Red Devils. It remains to be seen whether Daniel Levy, the chairman of the Londoners, is open to his star player leaving United.
Ten Hag cannot count on Antony, Sabitzer, Martínez and Van de Beek in the cup final against City on Saturday either. The Dutch manager can add extra sparkle to his first season in England at Wembley by winning the FA Cup and taking his second trophy of the season with United. For the team of manager Pep Guardiola is the Treble at stake. The Citizens can become the first English club to win the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League this century. City will meet Internazionale on Saturday evening, June 10, in the final of the billion dollar ball. Guardiola previously won the Treble at Barcelona, where he was at the helm between 2008 and 2012.