Marcus Rashford vs Anthony Martial (2017 / 2018 Season)

[GM K]

One of the highlights of this 2017 / 2018 season has been the intriguing battle between Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.

In playing time terms, they have both been given their chances and we have seen what they can do this season.

I'll cut through the chase: who is or who has been better, Marcus or Anthony?

 

[Di Maria's angel]

Even. Martial started better but Rashford has popped up with some goals and decent performances. So far, we seem to have a really nice tactic to interchange the two within games.

 

[Zlatattack]

I'd like to see a game where they're both played, Martial on the left, Rashford on the right. I think the only thing holding that back from happening is the low likeliness of them changing wings, or drifting into space during games. I don't think they'd do it as well as Mata/Miki do, but i'd like to see it tried. Perhaps a cup game?

 

[poacher]

I think that Martial is the bigger talent as he has a better eye for goal than Rashford. I like the idea of starting with Rashford and using his work ethic and energy to tire defenders out and then bring Martial for the last 25 minutes to run at the tired defenders. Ultimately if they could be trained to move to the right wing that would be better so we can get a left footed winger like Lemar to play on the left and have these right footers on the right. If everyone plays on their correct side then it would help with natural crosses being whipped into the box. It's criminal to have giants in the box and no one to supply them with crosses. We have a bigger aversion to crosses than Dracula.

 

[Bwuk]

Think I'd be tempted to play both of them against Everton. Rashford on the right, Martial on the left.

 

[JB08]

Think I'd be tempted to play both of them against Everton. Rashford on the right, Martial on the left.

And have no striker on the bench?

 

[Rozay]

Both players have different skill-sets, and we need both in the team. I have always said that I don't get the purpose of the competition in the first place. Even when both players play well, they still do it differently in my opinion. We need all of the qualities in our attack.

I've heard many times how Martial doesn't stretch the attack and run in behind. That is true. He comes deep, he comes inside a lot, links play, and is far more creative than he gets credit for I think, he's a wonderful creative passer. All that I just described, however, could also be used to describe Juan Mata, who seems a default selection on the right. If Jose feels we need those qualities, I think Martial offers much of what Mata offers, plus more. That's not to say that we don't need Rashford's direct running either. Ultimately, what we get from a Rashford/Mata combination can be gotten from a Rashford/Martial combo - so I don't see the need to choose between Rashford and Martial. Martial can and does drift centrally and help, and he also defends. What does Mata offer over him?

 

[Bwuk]

And have no striker on the bench?

If god forbid Lukaku got injured just move one of them upfront and bring Mata/Mkhi/Lingard on.

 

[Rozay]

And have no striker on the bench?

Seen this a lot. It's not necessary if you have a striker on the bench if you have 4 players capable of playing as a striker on the pitch I don't think. Unless we are planning to take all three off.

One of the two wide could move centrally if we wanted to take Lukaku off, or join him up top if we wished with Mata or Lingard coming on etc.

 

[groovyalbert]

Martial has more natural talent and a higher ceiling, but Rashford looks more at home playing for United. I am a huge Martial fan, but right now I'd say Rashford looks more comfortable when playing and you know what to expect when he plays most games. With Martial it's a pretty even split over how he's able to affect a game, and there's certainly more likelihood of him going missing - particularly when starting - than there is with Rashford. With the exception of a few very promising cameos this season, I'd argue that Martial hasn't had a truly outstanding game since we lost away at West Ham in his first season - where he scored 2.

 

[Adisa]

I have been advising against comparing the two for a while.
They're developing into very different players and I think comparing them is very unfair on both because they excel at different things.
Martial will never have the off the ball running of Rashford while Rashford will never have his dribbling ability and close control.
I said a few weeks back Martial should be compared with Hazard and Frank Ribery while Rashford will develop into an out and out direct forward.

 

[Adisa]

Martial has more natural talent and a higher ceiling, but Rashford looks more at home playing for United. I am a huge Martial fan, but right now I'd say Rashford looks more comfortable when playing and you know what to expect when he plays most games. With Martial it's a pretty even split over how he's able to affect a game, and there's certainly more likelihood of him going missing - particularly when starting - than there is with Rashford. With the exception of a few very promising cameos this season, I'd argue that Martial hasn't had a truly outstanding game since we lost away at West Ham in his first season - where he scored 2.

This is just wrong. had outstanding games last season. Watford springs to mind.
I think different players need different skillsets and I don't think one looks more comfortable than the other. Both are very inconsistent which is to be expected.

 

[RedSky]

Prefer having an impact sub on the bench and keep them both fresh than having them both play and have feck all options to come on if things are going a bit pear shaped.

 

[podurban2]

I'd like to see a game where they're both played, Martial on the left, Rashford on the right. I think the only thing holding that back from happening is the low likeliness of them changing wings, or drifting into space during games. I don't think they'd do it as well as Mata/Miki do, but i'd like to see it tried. Perhaps a cup game?

No, the reason for it is because we would have no striker on the bench.

 

[groovyalbert]

To be fair the same can be said about Rahford.

Bit harsh - what about Chelsea at home and Celta Vigo away last season? Had Martial had any performances as close to those - in important games too - I wouldn't have suggested that he had no outstanding performances last season.

 

[VeevaVee]

Rashford has been better. There's no competition there. Consistently has an effect on games.
Martial has the potential to really stand out, but at the moment, a standout game for him is actually doing anything.

It isn't one vs the other though. I think that's a bit unfair

 

[12OunceEpilogue]

Rashford's playing more positively and seems a more consistent threat to the opposition than Martial, who drifts out of games for long periods. The disappearing act isn't necessarily indicative of a player with a problem; players like Ruud could go 10 or 20 minutes without getting near the ball then pop up and there was a feeling against Basel that we were happier using our right flank to send attacks and Martial genuinely didn't see much of the ball. However I think it's fair to say Martial as a wide forward isn't producing enough of what we want; he is neither taking on and beating his man nor doing enough running in behind (nor even much good movement at all).

Since he's clearly a class player on his day and in good physical health, many (including Jose through the press) have questioned his attitude. That's fair enough, as he has appeared disinterested in a few games, however I saw flashes in the second half against Basel of a player wanting to do well. He was better overall in this half and the chance he had where he ran onto a low driven ball and couldn't quite master the pace of it pleased me, as did his reaction to not scoring. As I say I think he wants to do well, but that his relative lack of emotion and languid appearance works against him when he isn't producing enough.

I think in future it would be great if we could have Rashford and Martial as mainstays in our best XI, but as we're not there yet I think them fighting over one space on the left is a fine compromise. At present I'd say Rashford is the better starter as he has the greater consistency to occupy an opposition right-back for the opening 60 before Martial terrorises them as they tire for the final half hour. Both are young and have clear things to work on; Martial needs to work on being more involved and doing the things we know he can do extremely well more consistently, while Rashford's overall play is impressive while his finishing can a little too often be found wanting.

I sincerely hope both stay at the club for a long time and look forward to seeing how they develop.

 

[Zlatattack]

No, the reason for it is because we would have no striker on the bench.

Maybe we could consider it when Zlatan is fit? There is a directness to their play which would create havoc for teams, like Mane for example, you know if he's on the ball you have to run back, he won't go sideways with it.

 

[Von Mistelroum]

On paper, Martial is a better player, but he's stagnated and looks like only becoming a decent winger now. Rashford is currently ahead but has a lot to do to become top class.

I'd like to see Jose try Rashford on the right with Martial on the left though.

 

[acnumber9]

he's a wonderful creative passer.

Have you seen that in training or something because I don't think I've ever seen that during games?

 

[podurban2]

Maybe we could consider it when Zlatan is fit? There is a directness to their play which would create havoc for teams, like Mane for example, you know if he's on the ball you have to run back, he won't go sideways with it.

Exactly, I'm positive we will see it when Zlatan gets back. Actually I'm quite certain we will see it in one of the first games when he is back and introduced to the bench. Down the line I also think we will see it when Lukaku is rested on the bench and Zlatan starts (probably in one of the cups).

 

[Kostur]

Both players have different skill-sets, and we need both in the team. I have always said that I don't get the purpose of the competition in the first place. Even when both players play well, they still do it differently in my opinion. We need all of the qualities in our attack.

I've heard many times how Martial doesn't stretch the attack and run in behind. That is true. He comes deep, he comes inside a lot, links play, and is far more creative than he gets credit for I think, he's a wonderful creative passer. All that I just described, however, could also be used to describe Juan Mata, who seems a default selection on the right. If Jose feels we need those qualities, I think Martial offers much of what Mata offers, plus more. That's not to say that we don't need Rashford's direct running either. Ultimately, what we get from a Rashford/Mata combination can be gotten from a Rashford/Martial combo - so I don't see the need to choose between Rashford and Martial. Martial can and does drift centrally and help, and he also defends. What does Mata offer over him?

Just for the bolded, no, Mata's probably attacking the space and doing the most runs off the ball after Lingard in this team.

 

[TMDaines]

Generally think Rashford is the player I would like to face less as a defender. He's going to run me ragged all day and that's why I prefer him to start. Martial is the better finisher and is the player I want have space in the final third against a tired defence late in a match, so I prefer him coming on at the moment.

 

[Rozay]

Have you seen that in training or something because I don't think I've ever seen that during games?

I've seen it in many games. Including Martial's most recent game, where he played a great chip round the corner to Mata before he crossed to Mkhitaryan to head over in the first half.

I can see many others in my head, but can't recall the games right now. There was a great through ball he put on a plate for Rooney against Palace away first season in the first half for him to feck up. There was the through ball he played to Rashford for his goal at Upton Park in the Cup. And many other examples.

 

[Rozay]

Just for the bolded, no, Mata's probably attacking the space and doing the most runs off the ball after Lingard in this team.

Yea but the point is that you would then get that from Rashford on the other side. On the ball, I don't think Mata does anything Martial can't offer.

 

[yfoFC]

Have you seen that in training or something because I don't think I've ever seen that during games?

Let's see.. the over the top pass to mata yesterday before mata crossed for micky, the ridiculous over the top pass for zlatan against everton last season or the fact that even in an underwhelming year by all accounts he still had 8 assists last season and 11 in his first... Pick your choice

 

[Android1974]

Right now, there's no battle. As I see it, it's Rashford spot.

 

[Adisa]

Generally think Rashford is the player I would like to face less as a defender. He's going to run me ragged all day and that's why I prefer him to start. Martial is the better finisher and is the player I want have space in the final third against a tired defence late in a match, so I prefer him coming on at the moment.

I still don't get this argument about Martial needing more space than Rashford.
Everyone is in unanimous agreement that Martial is the better dribbler and has better close control and Rashford relies more on pace.
So how then can it be that Martial requires more space?
Imo, it's the other way round. It's Rashford that relies on space to use his pace and run into.
How many times have we seen Rashford run the ball out of play?
On the general point, I think Jose will keep rotating both but at some point, he will have to get both playing together.

 

[roonster09]

Rashford on Martial

It's difficult when you're in and out of the team, but we have to find the positives out of it and I think we have both done that.

"I think the competition is always positive competition because we're improving each other every day when we're in training, and in the games we're pushing each other more and more.

"It's a bit of a headache for the manager, but it is a good headache to have."

I don't think there is a clear cut answer on who is better, in some games Rashford played better, in some Martial did. I'm glad we have both in our team.

 

[Adisa]

Jose, give the people what they want.

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[Rawls]

Generally speaking, I feel Martial is the player we should be playing on the left. Martial is definitely in my eyes the player with the greater potential of the two. I still can't really understand why it is that people such as Ronaldo and Gerrard seem to over-estimate how good a player Rashford is. For example, Ronaldo put him in the same bracket as Mbappé and Asensio, which I thought was somewhat wrong. Gerrard also said that he loved him as an English player and feared him as a United player which again speaks to the fact that young English players tend to get over-rated.

Anyway, Martial is definitely the better dribbler of the two. His dribbling was sub-par last season but seems to be back on the right track now, although he still has a way to go to recapture his first-season dribbling form. Mind you, his dribbling seems to be a function of his confidence, so it seems logical that if he continues to put in improving performances, his dribbling form will take off. Rashford lacks Martial's power as a dribbler and moreover, you never really get the sense that he can turn the opposition RB inside out.

Secondly, Martial seems to be the better finisher of the two. You always get the sense that when Martial finds himself one-on-one with the GK inside the box, he is going to calmly side-foot the ball into the net with the inside of his right foot. Rashford on the other hand seems to lack the same composure in front of goal, like when he missed as good chance in front of goal away to Swansea for example. Rashford also seems to have less clarity of though when shooting from out on the left. With Martial, you know that he is going to cut inside onto his right foot. Rashford however seems to suffer from having too many choices in his head. I know Rashford has three goals in his last three games, but only one of those goals was a properly composed finish (Vs. Leicester).

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The only real facet of Rashford's attacking game that is noticeably better than Martial's is in terms of making runs in behind the defence. However, this kinds of leads you to think that Rashford should be playing as a ST and not as a LF. I feel that he is rewarded more for his intelligent movement when he is a ST as opposed to when he is a LF. Martial seems averse to running in behind the defence, which is disappointing as it's not really that difficult to master from LF compared to how difficult it is to master from ST. To be fair, this seems more like a lack of application on Martial's part more so than a lack of ability.

Ideally, I'd prefer if Martial started 2/3 of the games at LF, with Rashford starting the other 1/3. Also, Rashford could play 1/3 of games as a ST, with Lukaku starting the other 2/3. I think this would be a good rotation system, with the exception of injuries, which would enable us best to challenge for the PL and to go relatively deep in Europe.

 

[StonedhamsterZA]

I have been advising against comparing the two for a while.
They're developing into very different players and I think comparing them is very unfair on both because they excel at different things.
Martial will never have the off the ball running of Rashford while Rashford will never have his dribbling ability and close control.
I said a few weeks back Martial should be compared with Hazard and Frank Ribery while Rashford will develop into an out and out direct forward.

You don't think there's a possibility of Rashford playing behind the striker - Ibra, for example - who can knock the ball down for Rashford to run onto?

He has such direct, blistering pace, but I just don't see him as an out-and-out striker. I agree that we shouldn't be comparing them. The only reason they're playing in the same space on the pitch is that we have very good and/or very expensive strikers.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

I agree that they shouldn't be compared but the LW position is deservedly Rashford's at the moment. Even when not scoring he's always involved and trying to make things happen. I'm not saying Martial shouldn't play but there's absolutely no reason to drop Rashford.

 

[acnumber9]

Let's see.. the over the top pass to mata yesterday before mata crossed for micky, the ridiculous over the top pass for zlatan against everton last season or the fact that even in an underwhelming year by all accounts he still had 8 assists last season and 11 in his first... Pick your choice

He creates chances ordinarily by getting to the byline and pulling the ball back. I wouldn't call that creative passing. Would you consider Ashley Young a creative passer?

 

[acnumber9]

I've seen it in many games. Including Martial's most recent game, where he played a great chip round the corner to Mata before he crossed to Mkhitaryan to head over in the first half.

I can see many others in my head, but can't recall the games right now. There was a great through ball he put on a plate for Rooney against Palace away first season in the first half for him to feck up. There was the through ball he played to Rashford for his goal at Upton Park in the Cup. And many other examples.

And you couldn't think of a few isolated occurrences for Rashford too? If creating a few chances is all it takes to be considered a creative passer then just about every attacker is.

 

[Android1974]

Jose, give the people what they want.

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Much more probable when Ibrahimović becomes available.

 

[12OunceEpilogue]

Much more probable when Ibrahimović becomes available.

He's a factor. But if you want to play Rashford, Martial and Lukaku in a front three you do it, regardless of Zlatan or anyone else. Jose clearly doesn't see Rashford and Martial as starters either side of Lukaku at this time, and that is all there really is to it.

 

[Android1974]

He's a factor. But if you want to play Rashford, Martial and Lukaku in a front three you do it, regardless of Zlatan or anyone else. Jose clearly doesn't see Rashford and Martial as starters either side of Lukaku at this time, and that is all there really is to it.

But Mourinho doesn't, not only because the squad would lose the ability to control possession, but mainly because we'd be out of bench options to change the game attackingly. No one would be afraid if we subbed Lingard or Mata in, would they? Come Ibrahimović, that's another matter completely.

 

[Raees]

Said it before but instead of making them compete, playing them together would get the best out of them. Rashford can stretch the opposition with his movement off the ball and then Martial can have more space to run into with ball at his feet and thread through balls to the likes of Rashford at full pelt beating the offside trap. It is also not good for their confidence having to be rivals.. toughens them up yes, but making them stressed isn't the best way of ensuring they're relaxed in front of goal and can try exciting things on the pitch.

Especially with our lack of quality full backs, it is important we use them in tandem to give the side some proper width from both sides of the pitch.

 

[Lentwood]

I would like to see Martial deployed in a similar role to that played so far by Juan Mata against some of the weaker sides at OT, just to see how he gets on.

It could be a disaster, however his direct running, confidence on the ball and eye for a goal could cause teams a major headache, provided he isn't asked to perform too many defensive duties