EPL

De Gea, Martial concern for Man Utd ahead of Manchester derby

By Sports Desk March 03, 2021

Manchester United have concerns over David de Gea and Anthony Martial ahead of Sunday's derby with Premier League leaders Manchester City.

Neither De Gea nor Martial travelled to London for Wednesday's game with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Dean Henderson was named as starting goalkeeper, with Lee Grant among the substitutes, with De Gea absent due to personal reasons.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer selected an attack of Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood and Edinson Cavani, with Martial having sustained a knock during training.

It is unclear whether either player will be available to face City at the Etihad Stadium.

"David, that's personal reasons," United manager Solskjaer told MUTV about the absences.

"Anthony got a knock in training on Monday, on his knee, so [he is] not ready for this. Hopefully, [he will be] ready for the weekend but we're not sure yet."

Henderson has only started twice in the league this season and there are reports he could ask to leave Old Trafford if he is not assured of more playing time next season, the former Sheffield United loanee having mostly been limited to European and domestic cup appearances.

"Let's hope he performs as well as he has done all season," said Solskjaer. "He's got his chance now. He's been waiting patiently, he's been working really hard and of course he's ready to grab his opportunity."

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    Having lost three of four Group A games, Wednesday’s key clash in Istanbul began in dream fashion as Alejandro Garnacho’s early effort was followed up by a Bruno Fernandes rocket.

    Hakim Ziyech pulled one back from a free-kick that Onana will be disappointed to have been beaten by and he was guilty of an even worse error after Scott McTominay scored United’s third.

    The summer signing somehow failed to deal with another Ziyech free-kick and substitute Kerem Akturkoglu soon lasered past him as a mad match ended 3-3.

    The result leaves United bottom of their pool heading into the final round of fixtures, with the concession of 14 goals in just five Group A games the key issue.

    “We scored also quickly after each other,” United manager Ten Hag said.

    “It’s about the point when you are leading, when you are 2-0 up and you have to manage the game. Not so easy.

    “We give free-kicks away and we have to defend them better twice. I have to say also that is Hakim. He is brilliant, I know that. He is extraordinary.

    “To give free-kicks, it’s difficult to defend as well. In such areas, we have to be in more control.

    “It is always about incidents, always about details and some incidents we can manage better.

    “As a team, we have to learn from it because we are conceding too many goals and it is unnecessary and avoidable.

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    “What is enjoyable is the progress we have and the way we play football. We dictated the game, we scored so many goals – it was about plan, creativity, being proactive and brave. That makes me happy.”

    United should have scored more but Onana will be under the spotlight after this draw, having also been guilty of errors in the losses away to Bayern Munich and at home to Galatasaray.

    While his key stoppage-time penalty save secured a win against Copenhagen, he endured another difficult Champions League night on Wednesday.

    “I think as a team we played very well,” Ten Hag said when asked about Onana. “We win and lose together. You see the progress in this team.

    “I take many positives from this game. Some mistakes. We played like I want my team to play.

    “It was enjoyable to watch that proactive, dynamic, brave and we scored great goals.

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    “Of course, I am disappointed because we should have managed the game better, we will learn from that. Because this team is in development.”

    Asked how Onana is, he said: “He is OK. As I said, it is not about individuals.

    “Of course, individual errors in football can make a difference and you take responsibility for it but it is always about the team.

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    United are now sweating on their place in Europe, let alone the Champions League, heading into their group finale against already-qualified Bayern at Old Trafford.

    “It would be more frustrating if we play poor,” Ten Hag said.

    “But the performance is very good, it is enjoyable to watch how we dictate the game, how we create chances, that is actually fantastic.

    “But now there is more, if you can sort better the management of the game out then you start playing football.

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    Having lost three of their four Group A fixtures, the Red Devils knew defeat in Istanbul would extinguish their hopes of reaching the knockout phase with a game to spare.

    United avoided a loss but blew a two-goal lead on in an incredible night in Istanbul, meaning their knockout hopes will be over if Copenhagen beat Bayern Munich in Wednesday’s late fixtures.

    This was a wild, helter-skelter encounter befitting of a Champions League campaign punctuated by goals, madness and mistakes.

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    A statement from UEFA said: “We are closely monitoring the weather forecast and at this time the match will go ahead as scheduled.”

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