Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Anthony Martial injury: Will Man Utd star be fit to play Derby in FA Cup?
Anthony Martial was a doubt for Manchester United's last game at Everton but will he be fit to play against Derby in the FA Cup?
Man Utd: Anthony Martial has ‘magic potential’ says pundit
Anthony Martial missed Manchester United’s 5-0 win over Club Brugge in the Europa League last week. But the Frenchman made the starting line-up for the draw at Everton on Sunday.
It was a largely uneventful game for Martial as he failed to score for the first time in four matches.
The clash finished 1-1 at Goodison Park but United have since turned their attention to the FA Cup.
The Red Devils travel to Pride Park to face Derby County in the fifth round, with kick-off at 7.45pm GMT.
Martial has been a valuable asset to United this season when he’s been fit, with 15 goals and five assists to his name in all competitions.
READ MORE - What Man Utd coach McKenna did to Martial in Everton draw
He was also on the scoresheet in United’s 6-0 drubbing of Tranmere in the previous round.
Will Anthony Martial play against Derby?
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said Martial missing the clash with Club Brugge last week “was just a precaution” and that there was “no problem” with the player.
The Norwegian added: “He could probably have played as well but we didn't take the risk.”
However, it remains to be seen whether Martial will start against Derby in the FA Cup.
Odion Ighalo started the Europa League tie last week in the 24-year-old’s absence.
The Nigerian striker was signed on a short-term loan from Shanghai Shenhua in January to provide cover for Martial and the injured Marcus Rashford.
And Solskjaer may opt to rotate his squad at Derby with a crucial fixture against Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.
Line-ups for United’s clash at Pride Park will be confirmed one hour before kick-off.
Could Martial and Ighalo play together?
United fans on social media are keen to see Martial and Ighalo in the same starting line-up.
One wrote on Twitter: “I still don’t know why Ole can’t start both Martial and Ighalo together in a game.”
Another commented: “Why not start Martial and Ighalo up front?”
A third wrote: “Play a 4-4-2 formation including Martial and Ighalo.”
A fourth added: “I think Ole should play Martial & Ighalo together, not sub one for the other.”