Erik ten Hag explains Martial starting for Man United vs Bournemouth

Erik ten Hag hints at Anthony Martial starting for Manchester United against Bournemouth for rotation reasons before crucial Champions League match.

Erik ten Hag has suggested that Anthony Martial will be starting in Manchester United's upcoming match against Bournemouth on Saturday due to rotation reasons. After Rasmus Hojlund started in the recent 2-1 win over Chelsea, he has been named on the bench for the Bournemouth game. This decision comes ahead of a crucial Champions League fixture against Bayern Munich, with United currently sitting at the bottom of their group and needing a win to keep their hopes of progressing alive.

In addition to Martial's inclusion, Sergio Reguilon has been brought into the starting line-up in place of the injured Victor Lindelof. Luke Shaw will also be starting at centre-back alongside Harry Maguire. Meanwhile, Sofyan Amrabat, Scott McTominay, and Bruno Fernandes have retained their positions in midfield.

Ten Hag explained his team selection, stating that Reguilon performed well in the previous match and that Hojlund needed a rest after playing multiple games. He also emphasized the need for Martial to prove himself, especially after mixed performances in recent matches.

Looking ahead to the match against Bournemouth, Ten Hag acknowledged the opponent's good form and emphasized the need for United to play at their best. He highlighted Bournemouth's strong running and transition game, indicating that they pose a different challenge compared to Chelsea. Despite the differences in approach, Ten Hag stressed the importance of United playing their best to secure a positive result.