Anthony Martial and Diogo Dalot injury latest ahead of Arsenal clash

Erik ten Hag has provided an update on the fitness of Anthony Martial and Diogo Dalot ahead of Manchester United’s match with Arsenal.

United put themselves into the title discussion with a 2-1 win over local rivals Manchester City last weekend, making their clash with Premier League leaders Arsenal hugely important.

It would be an exaggeration to say a win at the Emirates would put them firmly in the fight following their 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace in midweek, but it would certainly keep their faint hopes of a 14th Premier League crown alive.

Their chances of claiming victory would no doubt be increased by Martial and Dalot returning from injury – Martial missed the game against Palace after completing just 45 minutes against City, while Dalot has been ruled out of United’s last two games.

Ten Hag provided an update on the pair in his pre-match press conference, but was again reluctant to commit to a potential timeline of return.

“No, sorry,” the manager said when asked if he had an update on the players. “It’s Wednesday [when the press conference was held]. We’ll have to see how far they are, if they are fit for the game on Sunday.”

Jadon Sancho is another player that has been absent for Man Utd, not playing since October with Ten Hag feeling he needed time away to work on his physical and mental health.

He has now returned to first-team training, but the Dutchman suggested Sancho won’t be brought back into the fold just yet.

“He’s making the next step,” said Ten Hag. “Yesterday for the first time he was in team training. Team training is the final training before a game, so we will extend that in the coming days, [the] coming week, and then go step-by-step.”