Evra believes ten Hag must stick with the players he picked against Chelsea (Picture: Getty)
Patrice Evra believes it will be ‘tough’ for Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial to force their way back into the Manchester United starting XI after both were benched for the win over Chelsea.
Both forwards were named among the subs for the visit of the Blues on Wednesday after turning in underwhelming displays in the 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United last Saturday.
Rashford and Martial were widely criticised by pundits and former players for a perceived lack of effort at St James’ Park, with Rasmus Hojlund and Antony coming into the starting XI for them to join Alejandro Garnacho who kept his place in the side.
United turned in a much-improved display against Chelsea with Scott McTominay scoring twice as the hosts sealed a 2-1 win.
Rashford emerged from the bench in the second-half with Martial left among the subs.
Former United defender Evra was delighted with the response from the home side, particularly impressed with the performances of Garnacho and Antony in wide positions.
The former France international insisted ten Hag must now stick with the same players ahead of pivotal games against Bournemouth, Bayern Munich and Liverpool in the next 10 days.
Rashford came on as a second-half substitute (Picture: Getty)
‘He put the right players on the pitch and United fans won’t understand if that same team doesn’t play the next game,’ Evra told Amazon Prime.
‘I will understand if it’s an injury, but I think it will be tough for Marcus and Martial to come back in the starting XI.
‘Garnacho had an amazing game, Antony had an amazing game and the work ethic, you can have nothing negative to say about those players.
‘So I hope this team will stay [as it is] and it’s going to be tough for Marcus and Martial and they will have to fight to get their places back because the kids played very well today.’
Rashford and Martial have scored just twice this season with McTominay the club’s top scorer for the campaign, taking his tally to six for the season.
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