Anthony Martial as Number 9

Ahsan_6386

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What is everyone's views on playing Martial as a striker next season . He is a quality talent with a bad temperament but his finishing is good . He was signed as a number 9 for a record buy but was later shifted to the left wing to first accommodate Rashford and then Zlatan . Watching him play is so frustrating because he doesn't take any initiative . He is on big wages now so very less chance of getting rid of him for time being .

With all the chances we make which get spurned by both Lukaku and Rashford maybe it's time we gave Martial a chance as striker as he is decent when it comes to headers and probably best finisher when given chances .
 

Carl

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His movement is absolutely awful for any kind of attacking player, but particularly as a #9
 

youmeletsfly

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That's the only place he should play as his finishing is sueprb l.

Also his lazy ass will be unoticed if he plays as ST.

Will he make it? In my opinion he has no chance, he is too relaxed and he won't have the grit to fight with defenders and so on.
 

Wednesday at Stoke

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That's the only place he should play as his finishing is sueprb l.

Also his lazy ass will be unoticed if he plays as ST.

Will he make it? In my opinion he has no chance, he is too relaxed and he won't have the grit to fight with defenders and so on.
This is such a poor opinion, the striker needs to be one of the most active players on the pitch to provide a release valve on counters, holding up the ball to bring midfielders into attack, making runs constantly to stretch the defensive line and finally being the first line of defense in pressing.
 

SungSam7

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For me Martial is a much better striker and LW than Rashford. However, my dead grandfather is better than both as LW! AM is one dimensional and Rashford is a pace merchant who very rarely tries to beat a man with a clever bit of skill but just raw pace.

Rashford this season alone I feel has regressed I terms of his touch and his awareness. It's time Martial got the chance to prove himself seen as neither Lukaku nor Rashford have performed well this season as a striker.
 

pacifictheme

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This is such a poor opinion, the striker needs to be one of the most active players on the pitch to provide a release valve on counters, holding up the ball to bring midfielders into attack, making runs constantly to stretch the defensive line and finally being the first line of defense in pressing.
Agreed. It nearly cost aguero his place at city despite being their best ever player.
 

harms

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His best quality is his dribbling and he won't get as many opportunities to use it up front as he does on the left. He should be used as a left forward (not as a winger though). He lacks top-notch off the ball movement to be played as a number 9.
 

breakout67

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Martial as striker in his first season:

6 goals/assists in 1409 minutes = 234 minutes per goal/assists

Martial as a striker is a myth, he was better out wide in his first season:

20 goals/assists in 2492 minutes = 124 minutes per goal/assists

Martial in his first season playing outwide had the makings of a top player. It all went pear shaped though.
 

Vanya

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The general consensus is that the movement of all our attacking players is abysmal and there are no runners from midfield either.

Martial can start anywhere in the field for all i care. If he wont make the right runs to stretch the defence and continue to sulk and look lazy, it doesnt matter if he is a 9, 11 or 7.

IMO he should sit on the bench, watch videos of sadio mane, till he wakes up and realizes the effort and commitment expected from an attacking player at Man Utd.
 

Raw

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Martial's stats for his entire United career so far:

Centre Forward: 10 goals, 7 assists in 2648 minutes - goal/assist every 156 minutes
Left Winger: 34 goals, 22 assists in 7548 minutes - goal/assist every 135 minutes
Right Winger: 2 goals, 0 assists in 638 minutes - goal/assist every 319 minutes
Second Striker: 0 goals, 0 assists in 156 minutes - goal/assist every 0 minutes
Attacking Midfield: 2 goals, 0 assists in 128 minutes - goal/assist every 64 minutes

Ignoring the obvious outlier in attacking midfield, he has been the most productive as a left winger. It's a total myth that he was always better as a striker, he wasn't even as productive in his first season where people claim that was his best position. He actually played more and scored/assisted more as a left winger that season:

15/16
LW - 2222 minutes, 11 goals, 7 assists (every 123 minutes)
CF - 1611 minutes, 4 goals, 2 assists (every 269 minutes)
 

flappyjay

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i think he would be good based on the fact he is the only one who can hold the ball up. He wont do much with balls in the air but when played to feet he can hold on to it and his link up play from central areas is good. But what you lose is movement and pressing the keeper and cb's.
 

PeteManic

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Crap touch. Crap movement. Crap in tighter spaces.

Inconsistent. Unreliable.

No.
 

SSSSnake

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He's one of the many problems with our team. No fluidity, no running in behind and not enough tracking back. As a number 9 I think he'll be even more isolated as he's just not willing to make the runs. I wont mention the grumpy git before Ole but I do think he had a point with Martial.
 

breakout67

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Martial's stats for his entire United career so far:

Centre Forward: 10 goals, 7 assists in 2648 minutes - goal/assist every 156 minutes
Left Winger: 34 goals, 22 assists in 7548 minutes - goal/assist every 135 minutes
Right Winger: 2 goals, 0 assists in 638 minutes - goal/assist every 319 minutes
Second Striker: 0 goals, 0 assists in 156 minutes - goal/assist every 0 minutes
Attacking Midfield: 2 goals, 0 assists in 128 minutes - goal/assist every 64 minutes

Ignoring the obvious outlier in attacking midfield, he has been the most productive as a left winger. It's a total myth that he was always better as a striker, he wasn't even as productive in his first season where people claim that was his best position. He actually played more and scored/assisted more as a left winger that season:

15/16
LW - 2222 minutes, 11 goals, 7 assists (every 123 minutes)
CF - 1611 minutes, 4 goals, 2 assists (every 269 minutes)
Your stats are different from mine (probably used a different source) but you've reached the same conclusion. Martial is a better wide player than striker.
 

Raw

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Your stats are different from mine (probably used a different source) but you've reached the same conclusion. Martial is a better wide player than striker.
I used Transfermarkt, but yeah they seem very similar anyway. I mean if Martial really had some untapped potential as a CF, why haven't any of his managers decided to play him there more often?
 
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Jinn

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Lets get him running 10km per match first. Then we can talk about positions.
 

11101

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He's got the finishing but that's about it. He lacks the movement or the instinct to get in the right place at the right time. Like Rashford, he is best coming from a little deeper and facing goal. All he needs to do to nail down the wide forward position is learn that the ball doesn't need to be at his feet before he can start running.
 

Ahsan_6386

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He kind of gives me vibes of Theo Walcott at Arsenal . Big hype around when signed and initial good start but then faded later . After that came in form when wanted a big salary and then back to his normal frustrating self after getting the deal . Atleast in Walcott case he had pace to burn and some sort of temperament although not similar quality as Martial .
 

Bestietom

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We need a prolific number 9, and Martial or Rashford will not get you 30 goals a season. We need a "fox in the box" for tap in's and who can be in the right place at the right time.

Rashford and Martial intend to drift out wide and are not in and around the box at the right time.
 
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jderbyshire

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I think it's his best position.

His play to me is often very predictable when he's on the left wing.

Rashford is the better winger for me, but I don't think Ole sees it that way (which is fair enough!)
 

Physiocrat

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Martial looks like a classic, quick second striker who can dribble. Consequently, the he can only be used to his full in a 352, diamond or 442.
 

K13

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What is everyone's views on playing Martial as a striker next season . He is a quality talent with a bad temperament but his finishing is good . He was signed as a number 9 for a record buy but was later shifted to the left wing to first accommodate Rashford and then Zlatan . Watching him play is so frustrating because he doesn't take any initiative . He is on big wages now so very less chance of getting rid of him for time being .

With all the chances we make which get spurned by both Lukaku and Rashford maybe it's time we gave Martial a chance as striker as he is decent when it comes to headers and probably best finisher when given chances .
I don't think it really matters where he plays but his lack of movement can not be contributed to him alone. The front 2/3 should be fluid but the ball has to move quicker around the pitch for that to work and both actions are needed for each to be effective. We really miss Herrera because his short game is fantastic and creates all the extra angles and space Matic and Pogba need, to do what they are best at. It is too congested at the moment without him so everyone drops back to get the ball and options become even more limiting and not much space to attack in.

If Ole plays a front 2 with a top of diamond or front 3 with false 9 he needs all 3 to move especially the middle player. It is a fluid rotation and you can not vacate your position unless one of the other 2 players are willing to move into it. You need it not just for balance but for the defensive press. You can not end up with 2/ 3 players on the same side and leave the opposing opposite flank open. It is why Lingard, Rashford and Martial are currently are best front 3. Lingard acts as the trigger and the movement of Rashord and Martial is then excellent. You can not initiate that movement from wide. When Pereira came on against Everton to play that role it coincided with our best period of the game and we actually created a few chances and got our first strike on goal.

In terms of Martial's finishing. I think it is clinical. He barely moves in the box and yet the ball arrives on his toes. His touch and control is fantastic and he creates so much power and accuracy with little room to manouver. I use to admire Robbie Fowler because of his ability to be in the right place without breaking sweat and Martial is very like him in my opinion.

I think Martial - like Pogba - gets an awful lot of bad press because of his personality. Martial is very introverted and has an ice cold mentality. I personally think passion and showing you care is over rated. Greta Thunberg the young climate activist has spoken with a clinical detachment to the problems we face. Her passion is in the detail rather than chest thumping. Martial is the same. I think he is brave as he continues to take players on even when woefully out of form. In bad times he continues to use the team rather than go for a wonder strike in a bid to restore his own confidence which is what Rashford is doing at this moment in time.
 

breakout67

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I used Transfermarkt, but yeah they seem very similar anyway. I mean if Martial really had some untapped potential as a CF, why haven't any of his managers decided to play him there more often?
I used a combination of Whoscored, Transfermarkt and Footystats because sometimes each one can miss something. But there's no point in me being a pedant, our figures are practically the same.

I have always asked that question. Both LVG and Mou preferred Martial on the left, but we are led to believe that he can be a top striker. It's a strange belief and stems from favouritism in my opinion.
 

TRUERED89

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His first few games under LVG he was playing as a 9 and he did well, he cant be any worse than playing off the left, I see no harm in it. As others have said, he's comfortably our best finisher so I'd like to see him get a few games as an ST.
 

Foxbatt

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The problem to me is the midfield. None of the strikers know what the midfield is going to do when they get the ball.
None of our defenders can pass the ball. Get a new rb, a new defensive midfielder and lot of our troubles will go away.
Also someone needs to hammer into Rashford that this is a team game.
I would also say that Pogba holds the ball too long most of the time.
In reality most of our players are simply not good enough. Apart from DeGea and Pogba I don't think any of our players will get into the top 3 side as starters.
 

Johnbouche

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I was a big fan of Martial but he attitude and workrate for me is his biggest downfall. I think when he gets in the game early then he goes on to play well but if he hasn't seen the ball in the first 15mins then he seems to go missing for the rest of the game.

I would like to seem him play as a 10 in behind the main striker. He naturally always wants ball to feet, nearly always comes short for the ball, he has the ability to pick up the ball and run at people and thrives on give and go's. To me that what no.10s should be good at, taking the ball off the midfield and then turning to do something positive with it. He would be more involved in games, the defensive side would be less demanding and that's what you want for your more talented players.

His natural instincts of coming short and not making smart little runs in behind does not lend itself to being a great winger or a No.9. He doesn't stretch teams although he has the attributes to do it, however I believe he can run off people and cause bigger problems for the opposition by the driving at them from central position.
 

TMDaines

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He doesn't run in behind with any frequency or conviction, so will never be a centre forward to lead the line and doesn't have the skill set to act as a false nine.
 

Lay

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I’d like to see him as a defensive midfielder for shits and giggles tonight
 

Born2Lose

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Some people on this forum live in dreamland.

Martial should be glad he's even in the team considering his abject performances recently.

Some fans are genuinely watching the team they deserve to be watching.

After his press conference about hard work after the Everton game, I'd lose a lot of belief in Ole if Martial even started the City game.
 

WolfInSharp'sClothing

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Martial was OK as a striker originally, but then went shit, so he was played as a left winger. He started off very well on the wing, but now he's gone shit, so not sure moving him back to striker would make him less shit.

Rashford was good as a left winger, then he went shit, so he's now being played as a striker. Now he's gone shit there too.

Lukaku was good as a striker, then he turned shit, so now he's being used as a right winger sometimes. He's shit there too.

Sanchez has been shit wherever he's played.

Lingard is shit on the right wing.

I'm not sure the positions are the problem, it's shit players.
 
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I'm inclined to agree, given that Martial's decent stats are because his one good quality is finishing, but have always flattered his actual quality over 90 minutes - he's a 'moments' player and if you're playing as a winger for United that's just not enough.

If only ever played as a CF, as you can get away with being a moments player in this position more than you can when playing as a LW. He doesn't even have the qualities to play as a LW given his lack of intensity (to put it mildly) and ridiculously overrated dribbling. How many times have you seen him reluctant to take on a full back who he should be ripping to shreds if anywhere near as talented as people make out?

Hopefully playing as a CF would also encourage him to finally run in behind the defense for more often rather than waiting for the ball to come to feet - how he hasn't managed to master such a simple part of playing in an attacking role having been at the club for 4 years is beyond me.
 

BlueHaze

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If it was the Martial who had just arrived, the Martial who worked hard, the Martial who actually gave a toss then yes, this would be a great idea. However it seems we are now stuck with the Martial who sulks and doesn't even bother to put in half of a performance that his old self would do so no thanks.