Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag explains why Anthony Martial did not start vs Omonia

Erik ten Hag insists he is sticking to a plan with easing Anthony Martial back into the Manchester United team.

Martial came on for only his second appearance of the season at Manchester City on Sunday and scored twice but started on the bench again in their Europa League group stage game away at Omonia Nicosia.

The Frenchman emerged in the 62nd minute and scored a minute later to put United 2-1 up and fuel the possibility of Martial starting on Sunday against Everton, the team he has scored more goals against than any other.

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"We want to do it really careful because he had a good pre-season," Ten Hag explained. "Good, fit, also good impact and last 10 minutes (of the pre-season friendly) against Atletico Madrid he fell out and then he returned against Liverpool, so another injury, that put him far back.

"I cannot force it. I have to do it with a plan, that is what we're trying to do. It's quite clear. Happy with his performance - all the subs had a really good impact. That's what I expect from players on the bench.

"You are not playing with 11, you are playing with five, so every sub has to be ready and tonight is just the best example you can get."

United's season was in danger of descending into farcical territory when Omonia took a half-time lead but Ten Hag's substitutions changed the game as Martial's fellow substitute Marcus Rashford scored the equaliser and winner.

When it was suggested there was similar cause for concern to the humbling at City, Ten Hag dismissed the very comparison. "No. No. I think it was a bad 10 minutes after we conceded the goal.

"But I think first-half - and it's not easy against an opponent like them - they are so compact it's hard to