Anthony Martial is expected to make his first Manchester United start tomorrow with Wayne Rooney ruled out of the club’s PSV Eindhoven Champions League clash.
The United captain sat out the 3-1 over Liverpool on Saturday with a minor hamstring problem and Louis van Gaal admitted afterwards that his skipper was a doubt for the trip to the Netherlands.
“I don’t think he will play,” Van Gaal told Sky Sports on Saturday.
“He is injured so we have to take care of him. I think he is very important for us and I don’t want to take any risks, so that’s why he didn’t play against Liverpool.”
Rooney’s absence leaves the United manager with the choice of whether to start Martial or Marouane Fellaini up-front against the Eredivisie champions.
The latter started on Saturday, but it was Martial’s impact from the bench which saw him score United’s decisive third goal with a sublime solo effort, which has put him in the driving seat to start on Tuesday night.
The 19-year-old played seven times in the Champions League last season for AS Monaco, including both fixtures against Arsenal in their last 16 encounter.
Martial failed to find the back of the net in those matches, but vice-captain Michael Carrick was full of praise for the teenager after his performance on Saturday.
“He has announced himself and everyone has seen it on the big stage. It’s a good start for him,” the midfielder told MUTV.
“I am sure his confidence will be sky high after that. It’s a good way to settle him and if that has raised expectations then so be it, but that is part of the game.”
United go into Tuesday’s game full of confidence after the win over their rivals at the weekend but must be wary of the threat posed by PSV.
The Dutch champions are unbeaten in their opening five domestic matches and beat Cambuur 6-0 away from home in the Eredivisie on Saturday.
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