Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag gives updates on Anthony Martial and Christian Eriksen

Erik ten Hag was coy on the possibility of an Anthony Martial return for Manchester United against Southampton on Sunday.

Martial was involved in squad training on Wednesday but he was not named in United's matchday squad for their Europa League round-of-16 win over Real Betis on Thursday.

The 27-year-old has played in only 14 of United's 43 matches this term and Martial has missed the last 15 games with a hip injury. Martial has started 15 times for United in the last two years and Wout Weghorst has started 15 times for United in the last two months.

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Martial has suffered five separate injuries this season and he has not completed 90 minutes for United since March 2021.

“Yeah, but I think all the time we had a good plan and it worked until now not always good," Ten Hag said of Martial's tendency to break down. “But he is on his way back, he’s back in training but we will be cautious, yeah.”

Ten Hag is also confident Christian Eriksen will play again this season as he continues his rehabilitation from an ankle injury. Eriksen has been sidelined since he was injured by Reading striker Andy Carroll on January 28 but the Dane was at the League Cup final at Wembley to celebrate with teammates.

“I think he will play, yeah, definitely," Ten Hag remarked. “I can’t tell now an expectation, but I think his progress in the rehab is okay, is going according to plan. So we will definitely see him but not before the international break.

“Yes, he is (involved in team meetings). But his main focus in this moment is to get back as soon as possible because we need all the players.”

Southampton are second from bottom in the Premier League table but have a reasonable