Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has suggested that Anthony Martial will be his first-choice striker this season providing that he can stay fit.

The 26-year-old has struggled with a number of injury problems this season, spending time on the sidelines with hamstring, Achilles and back issues.

Martial has now featured in Man United's last two games against Aston Villa, though, and he was on the scoresheet against Unai Emery's side in the EFL Cup on Thursday night.

The Frenchman has now managed four goals and two assists in six appearances this season, and Ten Hag, speaking after the 4-2 success over Villa, suggested that the former Monaco youngster is his number one pick through the middle.

'Definitely, he plays very well in a lot of aspects of football, I'm happy with that, except his availability," Ten Hag told reporters. "But we also have others and we have played with Marcus Rashford as the nine. We also have Cristiano Ronaldo, so we have more options there.

"It's quite clear in my way of playing, I like the type that Anthony Martial is because he can hold the ball, he's a target, he can link up, he can also run behind, he has speed, he can finish and he's a good presser.

"In the front line, the availability of the players - that is a concern for us. We had so many games, like Newcastle United, Marcus Rashford ill (but came on).

"We had to play some other games where we have to improvise to construct a proper offensive line. If you can't do that, then it's really difficult to get into the first four, if you don't have the players to construct a proper offensive line.

"Of course, we analyse that as well, he's (Martial) analysing that, what can we do to change that? We took some measures to do that, so it's always when you often have injuries and illness, there is a reason. Sometimes it's also bad luck and he was really in a good way and then last 10 minutes in (the pre-season friendly) Atletico Madrid, he got an injury and that threw him really back.

"I'm so happy he's back now and that we can manage him and that he stays fit because he is an important part of the squad.

"One of the conclusions you can already make is about the frontline, that is a concern. I think we really made progress in football: pressing, playing out from the back and also attacking, but the final third of our game we have to improve."

Martial, who has not been included in the France squad for the 2022 World Cup, will now be hoping to keep hold of his starting role for Sunday's Premier League clash with Fulham.

Ronaldo could be back in the squad against the Cottagers after missing out against Villa due to illness, while there is a hope that Antony could recover from a hip problem in time to feature.

However, Raphael Varane, Brandon Williams and Axel Tuanzebe remain on the sidelines through injury, while Diogo Dalot is suspended for the 20-time English champions. body check tags ::