Erik ten Hag reveals Anthony Martial 'begged' to start Manchester derby

Erik ten Hag has revealed that forward Anthony Martial 'begged' to start the Manchester derby on Saturday.

Anthony Martial has become Manchester United's first choice striker since the summer arrival of Ten Hag and subsequent mutual termination of Cristiano Ronaldo's contract, impressing as the Red Devils have rocketed up the Premier League table.

The forward played the first 45 minutes in United's impressive 2-1 win over archrivals Manchester City at the weekend - a win that saw Ten Hag's side go to within one point of City in the table - but was forced off at half-time with a rumoured injury.

Speaking ahead of the midweek clash with Crystal Palace, Ten Hag discussed Martial's fitness and provided an insight into the forward's start against City: “I hoped to avoid that he was getting injured but he was complaining. That’s why he also didn’t train in the week and was a question mark.

“We decided, and he decided as well, to start. He begged to start. I knew the start would be so important in this game and he is really good at pressing and he is a really big element in our pressing.

“But I needed to re-evaluate at half-time as you saw he was not capable to go 100 per cent and this is what you need. And also to avoid him getting injured so we took him off but it also had a negative impact on our game after half-time.”