Erik ten Hag defends Anthony Martial after Manchester United striker is booed once again
The striker was jeered when his number was shown on the substitutes’ board (Picture: Getty)
Erik ten Hag has defended Anthony Martial after he was booed off during Manchester United?s shock 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The Frenchman was brought back into the starting XI after being benched for the side?s excellent victory over Chelsea on Wednesday, with Rasmus Hojlund missing out, but Martial gave a peripheral and lacklustre performance.
He mustered just one effort on goal ? eight of his team-mates recorded as many shots or more ? while his 35 touches was the lowest of any starter.
Martial was withdrawn in the 55th minute and replaced by Hojlund, with the Old Trafford crowd booing the 28-year-old as he left the field and cheering his substitute?s arrival.
It is the second time Martial has been booed this season, with his introduction against Brighton jeered back in September, but Ten Hag has defended his forward and says the whole team struggled against Bournemouth.
Asked how Martial can realistically continue at the club given his reception and awful goalscoring returns, Ten Hag replied: ?Two weeks ago against Everton he played a very good game!
?So he has absolutely the competencies and the abilities to play so I don?t think it?s fair, after a performance like this, to go to one player now. As a group we failed, altogether.?
Martial had another frustrating afternoon in a United shirt (Picture: Getty)
Reflecting on the manner of the...
source:
metro-bournemouth
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http://metro.co.uk/tag/afc-bournemouth/
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