Erik ten Hag explains why Anthony Martial did not start for Manchester United

Anthony Martial did not start for Manchester United against Brentford as he is still not "game-fit", according to manager Erik ten Hag.

Martial made his first United appearance in 78 days as a second-half substitute in the 2-0 defeat at Newcastle on Sunday and he was widely expected to replace Wout Weghorst up front against Brentford.

Weghorst was dropped after 19 successive starts but Ten Hag replaced him with Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford moved to the centre forward role. Rashford scored the only goal of the game against Brentford and Martial emerged in the 70th minute.

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Martial, 27, has only started nine times in a season he has sustained five separate injuries and appeared in 16 of United's 48 fixtures. The Frenchman has not completed 90 minutes for United since January 2021.

"No, otherwise he was an option but I don't think in this moment he is game fit enough to have a start," Ten Hag replied when asked why Martial was on the bench. "And there is also prevention.

"Obviously, when you see Anthony Martial's record over the last years, you have to be really careful to plan it. So I don't want to take that risk because I know when he is on the pitch he has a great impact on our performance."

Ten Hag is optimistic Martial will be able to line up alongside Rashford, who struck his 28th club goal of the season to send United back into the top four against Brentford.

Sancho started on the left, where Rashford has played for the majority of this term, and Ten Hag is looking forward to the three 20-something attackers combining more frequently in the coming weeks.

"I think also you can take in that discussion, that debate, Jadon Sancho," Ten Hag added. "But I'm sure