Anthony Martial is scheduled to start taking part in full training with Manchester United this week ahead of Wednesday’s game against Real Madrid.
United are treating the 27-year-old’s return from a hamstring tear with caution, given his injury history, and Erik ten Hag will only select him when convinced of his fitness.
Martial is though ready to step up his work in sessions after suffering the problem during the 2-1 win over Fulham on May 28. When asked how he was feeling as he walked through the mixed zone at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey following United’s 2-0 win over Arsenal, he replied: “Better, better.”
So far in pre-season, Martial has been training separately at Carrington and the Pingry School, United’s first base on their American tour, but Ten Hag wants the France international involved with the team at their second stop, a complex in La Jolla, San Diego.
United’s youth side face Wrexham at San Diego’s Snapdragon on Tuesday, before the seniors fly to Houston for a friendly with Real on Wednesday. The U.S. tour finishes against Borussia Dortmund in Las Vegas on Sunday.
In Martial’s absence, Jadon Sancho has started all three pre-season games as a false nine, beginning with Leeds and Lyon, and producing his best display in his third appearance against Arsenal.
Sancho scored after seizing on a mistake by Gabriel, sprinting clear to finish sharply, and did good work pressing and holding the ball up with his back to goal, winning three fouls.
His trial in the position is a genuine attempt by Ten Hag to see if he could perform the role on a regular basis when the Premier League season kicks off, with United yet to sign a new striker. Ten Hag has been encouraged by what he has seen, in particular against Arsenal Sancho’s ability to drop deep and carry the ball forwards.
United do though expect to bring in a centre-forward, with talks continuing over Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund.
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