Erik ten Hag believes Manchester United have a better chance of returning to winning ways with Anthony Martial available again.
Martial made his first appearance in 78 days as a second half substitute in United's 2-0 Premier League defeat at Newcastle on Sunday and the Frenchman is poised to start against Brentford.
The striker could replace Wout Weghorst on Wednesday night as the Duitchman has managed a dismal two goals in 19 starts and is yet to register in the league.
Read more: 'They are in the wrong place' - Ten Hag issues warning to United players
Martial, 27, has only played in 15 of United's 47 matches this season and he has not completed 90 minutes in the Premier League since January 2021.
"First place, frustrated for himself," Ten Hag said. "He's the player who is most in the gym, he doesn’t want to be there, he wants to be on the pitch.
"But, of course, first for our team, it's frustration, and second for a manager as well because when your best players are available you have a better chance of winning games.
"I only have to refer to Liverpool home, Man City home when he was available and he makes a difference. But same for Casemiro and (Christian) Eriksen, they are very important players. But when they are not available, you still have to win."
United great Gary Neville said Weghorst is "not good enough" to play for the club after the Newcastle loss but argued on Monday Night Football the on-loan centre forward has "brought more profit to the team" than Cristiano Ronaldo.
United terminated Ronaldo's contract without paying off the wantaway goalscorer after he conducted an unauthorised interview with Talk TV in November. Ronaldo baselessly claimed the club had "betrayed" him and he said he had "no respect" for Ten Hag.
Ten Hag preferred to give Neville's praise of Weghorst more prominence than the criticism. "I also saw another comment from Gary Neville when he reflected on the performance of Wout and that with Wout we are quite successful.
"And I think that is the evidence, so that is what I can say about that. I am happy with him because he is doing a great job for this team."
READ MORE:
