Erik ten Hag admits his decision to gamble on Anthony Martial’s fitness against has backfired and may be forced to hand a debut to January recruit against .
An injury to United’s French striker represented the only blemish on an otherwise near-perfect weekend, as the Red Devils underlined their burgeoning Premier League title-winning credentials with a win over the reigning champions.
Martial, who was unable to train in the build-up to the derby, lasted only 45 minutes and is not in contention to feature at Selhurst Park tomorrow night.
‘I hoped to avoid [him] getting injured,’ said Ten Hag. ‘He was complaining, so that’s why he also didn’t train in the week and why he was a question mark.
‘We decided, and he decided. He begged to start because I knew the start would be so important in this game.
‘He [Martial] is really good with his pressing and he is a really big element in our pressing, and he did that really well before half-time [vs Man City].
‘But also you saw he was not capable to go 100 per cent and that’s what you need.’
Weghorst, signed on loan from Burnley until the end of the season, watched from the stands as United came from behind to seal an unlikely victory.
The Netherlands international could well be forced into immediate action against Palace with Ten Hag likely to be reluctant to move Marcus Rashford into a central striking role given his sensational run of from.
Asked if Weghorst would start against Patrick Vieira’s side, Ten Hag said: ‘I have to think that over. First, settle down this game and make the right conclusions.
‘Then we will make a clear plan. I have to see [for] Palace.’
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