TERRORISE PALACE
In-form forward likely to be available after minor injury
MANCHESTER
ANTHONY Martial is likely to be fit for Manchester United’s Premier League home game against Crystal Palace today despite appearing to pick up a minor injury in midweek.
Martial was outstanding as United won 4-1 away to CSKA Moscow in the Champions League on Wednesday, scoring a penalty and creating two goals for Romelu Lukaku.
The France forward was unable to complete the game, with Marcus Rashford replacing him in the 72nd minute, but the club have reported that the change was made as a precaution.
“It was a pity he couldn’t play for 90 minutes because I was ready to leave him on the pitch for the whole game,” said United manager Jose Mourinho.
Mourinho is hoping Martial is available to play against Palace, particularly with injury problems starting to pile up elsewhere.
Midfielders Paul Pogba, Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick were all absent from the trip to Russia because of injury, as were defenders Phil Jones and Antonio Valencia.
France midfielder Pogba has not played since suffering a hamstring injury early in the Champions League victory over Basel on Sept 12, while Fellaini was absent after picking up an ankle problem during last Saturday’s 10 win at Southampton.
Carrick, Jones and Valencia have unspecified injuries, and Mourinho is not yet sure if any of them will be available to face Palace.
“I think Carrick has no chance,” said Mourinho. “I think Jones, I have many doubts, and Fellaini, I have a hope but just a hope.”
Despite those setbacks, United are second in the Premier League, and have won their last five matches in all competitions, scoring 16 goals in the process, before the visit of bottom club Palace.
Roy Hodgson could hardly have been given a more testing start following his appointment as Crystal Palace manager just four games into the new season.
Defeats in his first two games, at home to Southampton and away to Manchester City, meant Palace have set an unwanted Premier flight since 1971-72, are safely in mid-table, with nine points.
However, they have not won any of their past four league matches and they have a tough run coming up, with matches against Manchester United and Liverpool in October.
Wagner’s side are proving difficult to beat, having conceded only three goals and German centre-back Christopher Schindler was once again outstanding as they drew 0-0 at Burnley last week.
“Tottenham are a top-six side who everybody expects to do well,” said Wagner.
“This is the first time we have an opponent of this quality.
“It’s the next step but this group so far has taken every step as well as they could have done.
“We are looking to see if we can take the next step.” AFP League record of becoming the first team to fail to register a single goal or point in their opening six games.
With Chelsea due to visit Selhurst Park after the trip to Old Trafford, things could get worse before they get better for the south London club.
And their hopes of breaking that run took a dip when Christian Benteke, Palace’s only available recognised striker, damaged knee ligaments at City and is now expected to be out for at least six weeks. AFP