Manchester United’s Champions League ambitions are in their own hands after Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday. United have two games left to play in the season, one more than their City rivals.
The first of those two games is on Tuesday night as the Red Devils will travel to the Boleyn ground to play West ham United whose hopes of securing a top-four berth are all but over.
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But United have been dealt a blow if reports are true. Anthony Martial who suffered an injury right before the game against Norwich City is set to miss the West Ham game as well according to The Telegraph. It looks like the hamstring that caused him to pull up will take longer to heal.
Martial has been crucial to United’s season. The youngster came for a hefty fee but has delivered all season. Martial has played in several positions across the forward line as Van Gaal has changed and tweaked his tactics and formation to try and find the right formula.
The injury will come as a big blow for the club and Van Gaal will have to hope whoever he brings in place of him will be able to do the job. Memphis Depay who also joined the club for a big fee in the summer has failed to shine this season.
He got a start in the previous game against Norwich but once again put in a very poor performance. If he is to start the game against West Ham he will have to put in a much better performance considering the Hammers are much stronger opponents compared to Norwich.
Martial has featured 29 times in the Premier League this season scoring 9 goals as well as notching up 4 assists. If Van Gaal achieves a top four finish coupled with a trophy by winning the FA Cup then he will no doubt stay at the club next season.
The game against West Ham will be the last one to be played at Upton Park, before they move to the Olympic stadium next season.
