[BusbyMalone]

Not the best game yesterday. His assist was lovely and shows that he has some of the best close control in the game. But his nonchalance on the ball and off it is so fecking frustrating sometimes; really does make you want to punch a baby!

He can be so good, but in the same game have a period where he just does some of the most basic things wrong. You think he's coming on leaps and bounds, then he takes two steps back. He's worth persevering with of course, but he does test the patience like no other.

 

[VeevaVee]

He's a player with obvious qualities and some people should watch this video to see what the player is capable of when he's on his game. He's a fantastic player with very high technical qualities and only 22.

Most people know what he can be capable of. The question is whether he can do that consistently eventually or if that's an anomaly, which most players have every now and then. Somewhere in between would be nice in the meantime, accounting for his age. It's very rarely he affects a whole game and not just the odd moment.

 

[JPRouve]

Most people know what he can be capable of. The question is whether he can do that consistently eventually or if that's an anomaly, which most players have every now and then. Somewhere in between would be nice in the meantime, accounting for his age. It's very rarely he affects a whole game and not just the odd moment.

But you realize that your expectation is something that only, and I insist on the word only, the absolute best players do, very rare are the players that affect a whole game. If your opinion is representative then it means that a lot of people are judging him like a bona fide Ballon D'or contender which in my opinion is crazy.

 

[redflair]

Jose just doesn't fancy him, we can see that, but if it wasn't for him - United would have even more dire in the first half than they actually were.

Probably got a tongue-lashing from the manager at the interval - as he is one of the team's more fragile, whipping boys and subsequently easy prey for Mourinho - and that probably affected his performance after the break (perhaps it's been a similar story all season).

As far as I can see he's provided a lot of decisive moments for the team in the past few months (including a lot of missed chances) so I think he's less of a problem for the team than the other problems areas, particularly midfield where a huge injection of tempo is needed.

Ultimately, I'd like to see the manager given a chance to sort that out long-term. It's a crucial decision for his legacy long-term.

Martial, on the other hand, could be a great player for us. Whether the manager believes that, however, is a different question.

 

[United never give up]

Martial really reminds a lot of Nani, albeit I believe he is a better player/will be better in the future

Just in terms of his obvious skill and his nonchalant mentality

 

[haram]

Jose just doesn't fancy him, we can see that, but if it wasn't for him - United would have even more dire in the first half than they actually were.

Probably got a tongue-lashing from the manager at the interval - as he is one of the team's more fragile, whipping boys and subsequently easy prey for Mourinho - and that probably affected his performance after the break (perhaps it's been a similar story all season).

As far as I can see he's provided a lot of decisive moments for the team in the past few months (including a lot of missed chances) so I think he's less of a problem for the team than the other problems areas, particularly midfield where a huge injection of tempo is needed.

Ultimately, I'd like to see the manager given a chance to sort that out long-term. It's a crucial decision for his legacy long-term.

Martial, on the other hand, could be a great player for us. Whether the manager believes that, however, is a different question.

Interesting .

 

[JPRouve]

Jose just doesn't fancy him, we can see that, but if it wasn't for him - United would have even more dire in the first half than they actually were.

Probably got a tongue-lashing from the manager at the interval - as he is one of the team's more fragile, whipping boys and subsequently easy prey for Mourinho - and that probably affected his performance after the break (perhaps it's been a similar story all season).

As far as I can see he's provided a lot of decisive moments for the team in the past few months (including a lot of missed chances) so I think he's less of a problem for the team than the other problems areas, particularly midfield where a huge injection of tempo is needed.

Ultimately, I'd like to see the manager given a chance to sort that out long-term. It's a crucial decision for his legacy long-term.

Martial, on the other hand, could be a great player for us. Whether the manager believes that, however, is a different question.

Who told you that he was fragile? It's well known that he has been under fire with Ranieri, Jardim and Deschamps, he never reacted badly and even laughed when talking about it.

 

[VeevaVee]

But you realize that your expectation is something that only, and I insist on the word only, the absolute best players do, very rare are the players that affect a whole game. If your opinion is representative then it means that a lot of people are judging him like a bona fide Ballon D'or contender which in my opinion is crazy.

I'm not saying he should blow us away the entire game every time, but he should be able to positively affect the way we play more consistently. His problem is that he doesn't have much to his game other than a nice dribble every now and then, which means if that isn't coming off he isn't adding much. That accounts for why he may get a goal or an assist but not do much else for us in a game as well.

 

[redflair]

Who told you that he was fragile? It's well known that he has been under fire with Ranieri, Jardim and Deschamps, he never reacted badly and even laughed when talking about it.

I meant in terms of age, really. Temperament? Perhaps not so much. But the fact that Jose targets certain members of a team, particularly younger, more creative players, is incontestible. His history is littered with it.

Martial simply may never convince his manager that he should play week in, week out. Not starting in the Champions League against Sevilla must have been painful for him.

But, I unlike many others on this forum, believe in him and still think he could be a great player for United. Intent and threat are two things underrated by many people - and Martial has them in abundance.

 

[JPRouve]

I'm not saying he should blow us away the entire game every time, but he should be able to positively affect the way we play more consistently. His problem is that he doesn't have much to his game other than a nice dribble every now and then, which means if that isn't coming off he isn't adding much. That accounts for why he may get a goal or an assist but not do much else for us in a game as well.

Again who are the players that have an impact on their team overall play? Ribery, Messi, De Bruyne, basically the absolute best and they don't do it in a weak collective setup, they have a strong framework around them. For me your exceptions have no ground in reality, we don't have a stable attack, yesterday he was the only starting attacker with more than half a season at United, our midfield barely works and our fullbacks are not exactly good. Someone like Sanchez who is a better player won't impose himself consistently until the moment we create a solid and coherent framework, until then all our attackers will be hot and cold because most of the time they don't receive the ball in positive conditions.

 

[VeevaVee]

Again who are the players that have an impact on their team overall play? Ribery, Messi, De Bruyne, basically the absolute best and they don't do it in a weak collective setup, they have a strong framework around them. For me your exceptions have no ground in reality, we don't have a stable attack, yesterday he was the only starting attacker with more than half a season at United, our midfield barely works and our fullbacks are not exactly good. Someone like Sanchez who is a better player won't impose himself consistently until the moment we create a solid and coherent framework, until then all our attackers will be hot and cold because most of the time they don't receive the ball in positive conditions.

I don't think you understand my expectations. I'm not asking him to be Messi. I agree on the rest, but more can be done from Martial too. Just more movement would help, along with better link up between others (which obviously comes down to those others too).

 

[JPRouve]

I don't think you understand my expectations. I'm not asking him to be Messi. I agree on the rest, but more can be done from Martial too. Just more movement would help, along with better link up between others (which obviously comes down to those others too).

I agree with that but that's different to what you suggested in your previous posts. Yesterday I called our attackers zombies, Sanchez included, because they move but often there isn't enough intensity and they don't try to deceive the defense. It's something that we see from all our attackers and even someone like Pogba. Now, in general I don't have a problem with Martial's movement, I have a problem with the clear lack of intensity, he can keep his current style but he needs to make more of his runs at full intensity even when he has little chances to get the ball, also I would like to see Lukaku and Martial emulate Falcao and Suarez who have the habit to roam offside on the entire length of the field, the defenders never know when and where they are going to comeback in play, Martial needs to be smarter and more vicious. But these things are rarely possessed by a 22 years old, at that age the game is more about athleticism and technique.

It's a shame that we don't have that type of veteran off the ball strikers.

 

[Member 90678]

I meant in terms of age, really. Temperament? Perhaps not so much. But the fact that Jose targets certain members of a team, particularly younger, more creative players, is incontestible. His history is littered with it.

Martial simply may never convince his manager that he should play week in, week out. Not starting in the Champions League against Sevilla must have been painful for him.

Looking at mourinhio and his past I would say that all he wants from his players is commitment and that they leave everything on the pitch 100% of the time even if they are having a bad game.
He also watches his players every day in training and gets feedback from all his coaching staff on their attitude, how hard they are training.
If martial trains like he plays then it's not surprising that he is in and out of the team and can't nail a permanent place down.
If you want to see hardworking with and without the ball then just watch giggs at his best and he never won the balon d'or or had great games every week but still worked hard.

 

[redflair]

Looking at mourinhio and his past I would say that all he wants from his players is commitment and that they leave everything on the pitch 100% of the time even if they are having a bad game.
He also watches his players every day in training and gets feedback from all his coaching staff on their attitude, how hard they are training.
If martial trains like he plays then it's not surprising that he is in and out of the team and can't nail a permanent place down.
If you want to see hardworking with and without the ball then just watch giggs at his best and he never won the balon d'or or had great games every week but still worked hard.

Thanks for the Giggs tutorial. Must have watched him hundreds of times from a few yards away so no need for the comparison. I know a great player when I see one.

As for Martial, if you want commitment great, I want decisive moments in the final third. That's as committed as it gets.

 

[Hawks2008]

As for Martial, if you want commitment great, I want decisive moments in the final third. That's as committed as it gets.

Nah mate, its all about pashun, hungah, and desiah...

 

[Giant Midget]

Martial is great at what he does, but he's just far too one-dimensional. He literally has nothing else to his game apart from receiving the ball to feet and trying to dribble.

For a former striker, his movement is actually terrible. I can't remember the last time he made a run in behind his fullback - he always wants the ball to feet and for someone with his pace and acceleration, that's such a waste.

 

[bosnian_red]

Martial is great at what he does, but he's just far too one-dimensional. He literally has nothing else to his game apart from receiving the ball to feet and trying to dribble.

For a former striker, his movement is actually terrible. I can't remember the last time he made a run in behind his fullback - he always wants the ball to feet and for someone with his pace and acceleration, that's such a waste.

He made runs like that a few times against Chelsea just on the weekend.. Just because nothing comes off in the end doesn't mean he doesn't do it.
His off the ball movement isn't amazing of course, but it's far from terrible. He wouldn't get in so many good positions every game and be so productive if they were terrible.

 

[NoLogo]

No idea why everyone is up in arms about him, thought he was for long patches our only really dangerous attacking player.

 

[bosnian_red]

Also I don't think anyone can say Mourinho doesn't like Martial, he very clearly does and its obvious that he works hard in training. Mourinho would never trust him in big games or play him as much as he does. Martial had problems last year off the field, and it affected him on the pitch and probably in training too he wasn't fully focused. As a result, didn't play much. This season he's always either starting or one of the first to come off the bench. Even in big games. Started away to Spurs, home to Chelsea, home to City, away to Arsenal, also I'm pretty sure away to Liverpool (forget exactly). Subbed on home against Spurs and won us the game. So it's bollocks to say he's a liability off the ball, he doesn't work hard enough, Mourinho doesn't like him, or whatever else.

It's just Mourinho puts him in and out of our team depending on form and probably is how he's trying to get him to show the intensity all the time and be more consistent. And I do think there's been clear improvement in that regard. Sure the performances have been inconsistent, but I think it's pretty obvious that the last couple of months he's been visibly more aggressive on the pitch, direct, made things happen every game with the ball, and a lot more intense in general. He's young, so his decision making and some other aspects will be inconsistent, but that's to be expected. He's never sulked or complained or anything with how Mourinho has dealt with him so I'm not too worried about his long term future here.

 

[yfoFC]

Genuinely tired of reading back and forth of posters whose memory cannot hold more than one match at a time

Martial who has been the best or second best link up player at Man Utd this season is suddenly a shite passer 'cause of a 15min spell? Don't know whether to laugh or cry at that

Anyways, honestly thought this would have been posted already and seeing as it hasn't, I feel this thread needs it badly

It is the third time in the 2017/18 Premier League season to date that Martial had set up for Lukaku, who has equally assisted the Frenchman three times, for a goal.
And their combination is now the joint-highest for United in a single Premier League season, featuring alongside some of the greatest names to ever pull on the club's colours.
Martial and Lukaku's combination of six goals (three goals and assists apiece) matches eight previous tallies in United's history in the Premier League era.
http://www.goal.com/en-in/news/luka...-utds-most-prolific/6qbvtudmd7ms1bxjmmrcw4s63

 

[LeftyBlaster]

Martial is great at what he does, but he's just far too one-dimensional. He literally has nothing else to his game apart from receiving the ball to feet and trying to dribble.

For a former striker, his movement is actually terrible. I can't remember the last time he made a run in behind his fullback - he always wants the ball to feet and for someone with his pace and acceleration, that's such a waste.

I agree with this and have been saying it for some time now. I wonder if Jose has instructed him not to do it or has just neglected to coach it into him. I suspect it's the coaching since our movement off the ball as a team in general is pretty damn poor.

 

[Adam-Utd]

I agree with this and have been saying it for some time now. I wonder if Jose has instructed him not to do it or has just neglected to coach it into him. I suspect it's the coaching since our movement off the ball as a team in general is pretty damn poor.

His movement wasn't great under LVG either, but I do agree Mourinho hasn't done anything to make him better apart from give him tough love.

I often wonder if we had a proper attacking coach how much better they could make him, he has all the tools but he's a bit clueless about the wide position.

 

[Stacks]

Most people know what he can be capable of. The question is whether he can do that consistently eventually or if that's an anomaly, which most players have every now and then. Somewhere in between would be nice in the meantime, accounting for his age. It's very rarely he affects a whole game and not just the odd moment.

I agree completely. Its seems like he does something when "he feels like it" but in reality its just because it is difficult for him tobe consistent with his talent.

Again who are the players that have an impact on their team overall play? Ribery, Messi, De Bruyne, basically the absolute best and they don't do it in a weak collective setup, they have a strong framework around them. For me your exceptions have no ground in reality, we don't have a stable attack, yesterday he was the only starting attacker with more than half a season at United, our midfield barely works and our fullbacks are not exactly good. Someone like Sanchez who is a better player won't impose himself consistently until the moment we create a solid and coherent framework, until then all our attackers will be hot and cold because most of the time they don't receive the ball in positive conditions.

you missed out Eden Hazard. the guy is a menace. Hazard averages 6 dribbles per game to Martial's 2. you would hope Martial would pose more of a threat than that as an attacking outlet.

 

[VeevaVee]

I agree completely. Its seems like he does something when "he feels like it" but in reality its just because it is difficult for him tobe consistent with his talent.

Yeah, I don't mean dribbling past players constantly, but linking and causing a bit more trouble in other ways. Just being more dynamic. It's not just down to him of course, but he can be doing more to affect games in other ways imo.

 

[JPRouve]

you missed out Eden Hazard. the guy is a menace. Hazard averages 6 dribbles per game to Martial's 2. you would hope Martial would pose more of a threat than that as an attacking outlet.

Maybe I missed him but your comparison is what bothers me. Martial has nothing to do with Hazard, Hazard is like Messi and Ribery, a midfielders, they are playmakers and have been developed from a young age as playmakers. Football players aren't robots, you can't change Martial's past, you can't seamlessly turn a striker into a world class playmaker. He doesn't even have the tools that a playmaker requires.

 

[SAred]

Not even on the bench is he injured?

 

[Random Task]

Not even on the bench is he injured?

Yes he is injured, not sure as to the extent. Hopefully not to bad.

 

[manunited1919]

Yes he is injured, not sure as to the extent. Hopefully not to bad.

Did Mourinho say anything about his injury?

 

[Damien]

Did Mourinho say anything about his injury?

Pretty much what RT said. He picked up an injury last night and Mourinho said he has no idea how bad it is.

 

[manunited1919]

Pretty much what RT said. He picked up an injury last night and Mourinho said he has no idea how bad it is.

Thanks!

 

[prath92]

Think some journo (could be that kristof Guy) said it was precautionary omission

 

[Frank Grimes]

Not fit for tomorrow.

 

[Toddler]

Not fit for tomorrow.

Source?

 

[Frank Grimes]

Source?

Mourinho. Said only Fellaini is fit of all those previously injured.

 

[Zoo]

Source?

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

 

[Devil may care]

As is common now he didn't offer much in attack but his agression and protection of the ball were important.

 

[Santos J]

As is common now he didn't offer much in attack but his agression and protection of the ball were important.

Thought he was anonymous all game. 0/10 performance.

 

[bosnian_red]

Looks like it'll be his turn to be back on the bench and be the impact sub for a bit! Nothing wrong with that. He's usually a terrific sub. Sanchez has til now looked better with Rashford wide, Rashford was motm today so he'll stay in. Can't complain having options like that!

 

[Greck]

Looks like it'll be his turn to be back on the bench and be the impact sub for a bit! Nothing wrong with that. He's usually a terrific sub. Sanchez has til now looked better with Rashford wide, Rashford was motm today so he'll stay in. Can't complain having options like that!

Setting yourself up for outrage, friend. Martial is better with Lukaku and we all know who the team is built around

Edit: Sanchez was also below average so I'm not seeing this new partnership with Rashford

 

[Adisa]

Would be huge to have him and Rashford in form again.