Rashford and Martial are a problem

gazbradley

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Dec 29, 2020
Messages
170
Has martial ever played from the right under ole? I know he was shifted there under Jose after Sanchez signed and wasn’t happy about it but can’t recall ole playing him there. Always seems rashford plays there or is moved there to accommodate martial, I think a lot of rashfords game is blocked when coming from the right, granted the same could be said for martial but seems odd we’ve never tried it
 

Valencia Shin Crosses

Full Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2015
Messages
7,334
Location
"Martial...He's isolated Skrtel here..."
Rashford is worth carrying through dodgy form due to the fact he'll still provide something, Martial isn't. I can't be bothered to watch him every week anymore, I'm too tired for it.
Does he? Rashford is miles off at the moment while walking about the pitch (even though people seem to still think it's Martial that's the lazy one). Sure he hits one nice cross every now and then, but is also offsides 5 times a game a dribbles selfishly another 10 times a game.

I know this place reveres Rashford miles more than Martial, but my goodness it's obvious to me which one was worse today
 

Godfather

Full Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2007
Messages
30,114
Location
Austria
Rashford is worth carrying through dodgy form due to the fact he'll still provide something, Martial isn't. I can't be bothered to watch him every week anymore, I'm too tired for it.
In reality we can't afford to carry any of these two in a form like that if we want to win things. Especially Rashford's bottom level is simply shocking
 

Luke1995

Full Member
Joined
Jan 4, 2016
Messages
3,472
Should the club invest in Cavani for the long term ? Maybe he could play for us for three or four more years.

Cavani and Greenwood partnership could be the future.
 

Judas

Open to offers
Joined
Jun 28, 2010
Messages
36,691
Location
Where the grass is greener.
Should the club invest in Cavani for the long term ? Maybe he could play for us for three or four more years.

Cavani and Greenwood partnership could be the future.
I think you take Cavani on a year by year basis. It would be insane to gamble on him for three/four years, the sort of risky decisions I want the club to get away from.
 

Luke1995

Full Member
Joined
Jan 4, 2016
Messages
3,472
I think you take Cavani on a year by year basis. It would be insane to gamble on him for three/four years, the sort of risky decisions I want the club to get away from.
I am excited by his mentality. He brings a presence, a will to win that the club really needs. But you're probably right.

But seeing as people are worried about Rashford and Martial development, I just thought Cavani is a player ready.
 

dinostar77

Full Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2014
Messages
7,511
Martial and Rashford shouldnt be starting together in the same XI. Both are left wing wide forwards and neither is a proper striker.

Hopefully we can pick up a striker this summer to help Cavani out and we just have to be patient with Greenwood, hes a young lad who still needs to develop his frame and physique as he gets older.
 

Ali Dia

Full Member
Joined
May 10, 2013
Messages
14,544
Location
Souness's Super Sub/George Weahs Talented Cousin
It looks like we are going to have to break them up unless they somehow start playing well together again before the end of the season. They don’t compliment each other at all anymore really. It’s like 2 brands doing their own thing on the pitch as strange as that sounds. Cavani stands out because he makes way more dangerous runs and presses like a loon. we should have two creatives feeding him chances but we have the lads who aren’t really wingers and we are overplaying it. I think Rashford has a few assists this year and he generally been better than Martial. I would have said up until very recently that martial had the higher potential of the two by some way but this season he’s really regressed and I couldn’t tell you what’s going on with him. At the minute Rashford is having one good game in 5 and nothing is falling for Martial in the tight games.
 

bosnian_red

Worst scout to ever exist
Joined
Aug 13, 2011
Messages
58,439
Location
Canada
Martial and Rashford shouldnt be starting together in the same XI. Both are left wing wide forwards and neither is a proper striker.

Hopefully we can pick up a striker this summer to help Cavani out and we just have to be patient with Greenwood, hes a young lad who still needs to develop his frame and physique as he gets older.
Cavani is more than fine as the starter! Greenwood should start rotating more as the starter and Martial as a rotation up front is fine too, as Cavani will be the main guy anyway. We need a RW to start though.
Rashford - Cavani - Sancho
Martial - Greenwood - Diallo​
Depth for all 3 positions, a good balance in the front 3 in terms of scoring and creativity and a threat on both sides and through the middle. A good blend of ages too.
 

Nou_Camp99

what would Souness do?
Joined
Apr 1, 2013
Messages
10,274
Martial fan boys really struggling to come to terms with the fact their man has scored same amount of goals as Scott Mctomminay this season.

Rashford gets goals and assists when playing poorly as he did again tonight. Played poor but found a moment.

Martial messed up every final pass he attempted and his shots were awful. Holding the ball up well isn't good enough.
 

MadDogg

Full Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
16,159
Location
Manchester Utd never lose, just run out of time
It looks like we are going to have to break them up unless they somehow start playing well together again before the end of the season. They don’t compliment each other at all anymore really. It’s like 2 brands doing their own thing on the pitch as strange as that sounds.
It really is strange as they so often combined very well last season. This season it seems like Martial tries to combine but messes it up, and Rashford doesn't even try.
 

Ali Dia

Full Member
Joined
May 10, 2013
Messages
14,544
Location
Souness's Super Sub/George Weahs Talented Cousin
It really is strange as they so often combined very well last season. This season it seems like Martial tries to combine but messes it up, and Rashford doesn't even try.
its weird. maybe it’s just the form isn’t there and it’ll come back again but I’m not even really seeing flashes of tight interplay or anything like that. Neither of them look they are enjoying their football all that much at the moment. Rashfords greedy approach is frustrating and often he’s making the wrong choice when he could be playing someone else in for a much easier chance. He gets tunnel vision and I think its starting to hold the team back as an overall attacking unit. We become predictable. Get it to Marcus and he’ll do one of 3 things and he gives away the ball a lot relative to his output. I’m enjoying watching us a lot more but if we want to kick on we need to real about a couple of starting positions and competition in the squad.
 

davidmichael

Full Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2015
Messages
3,558
Cavani is more than fine as the starter! Greenwood should start rotating more as the starter and Martial as a rotation up front is fine too, as Cavani will be the main guy anyway. We need a RW to start though.
Rashford - Cavani - Sancho
Martial - Greenwood - Diallo​
Depth for all 3 positions, a good balance in the front 3 in terms of scoring and creativity and a threat on both sides and through the middle. A good blend of ages too.
Completely agree and it highlights our need for a quality starting right sided forward more. I think having Sancho and Rashford either side of Cavani with Greenwood, Martial, Diallo, James and Pellestri all as back up is the way to go next season.

Last season it really looked like Rashford and Martial has finally clicked with their interchanging between left sided attacker and centre forward but I’m starting to think it was some kind of fluke season as Martial has regressed so much from last season and it’s hindering Rashford as he’s being shunted out right when we bring Cavani on.
 

Name Changed

weso26
Joined
Jan 10, 2008
Messages
27,395
Location
Dublin
Rashford is the laziest player I have ever seen. He walks around pointing his fingers for players to close the opposition down when he is closer. The only time be bothers running is when he dribbles into opposing players. He is up his own hole at the moment. I was disgusted last night watching him. And I am a fan generally.
 

Mainoldo

New Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2004
Messages
22,965
Rashford needs a rest. Martial needs to go find a club that plays football.
 

wolvored

Full Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2016
Messages
10,033
Ole could do with with a bit of Mourinho attitude. He saw the problems with Martial and wanted to sell him. Rashford needs a kick up the arse and benching him every now and then would either buck him up or move him closer to the exit. He would be a hard sell as he came through the ranks and is the nation's darling etc
 

sincher

"I will cry if Rooney leaves"
Joined
Sep 20, 2004
Messages
25,614
Location
YSC
I am probably alone here but I thought Martial played better last night and showed a few glimpses of his previous form. I would keep him in for West Brom, probably on the left with Cavani in the middle and Greenwood on the right. Rashford could do with a rest I think, his form is really patchy.
 

The holy trinity 68

The disparager
Joined
Apr 10, 2016
Messages
5,988
Location
Manchester
If we ever want to actually win the PL and challenge for the CL, we need to replace both. Martial should be sold and Rashford should be used as a backup for the starting attackers. We should begin with the obvious though, sell Martial and do everything possible to sign Haaland.
 

TrustInJanuzaj

'Liverpool are a proper club'
Joined
Mar 26, 2015
Messages
10,959
I get way more frustrated with Rashford than Martial. Rashford when off form is an absolute liability. I think while not at his best, Martial has been miles better than Rashford over the last few games.
 

The holy trinity 68

The disparager
Joined
Apr 10, 2016
Messages
5,988
Location
Manchester
I am probably alone here but I thought Martial played better last night and showed a few glimpses of his previous form. I would keep him in for West Brom, probably on the left with Cavani in the middle and Greenwood on the right. Rashford could do with a rest I think, his form is really patchy.
Glimpses are not enough though, he is far too inconsistent and goes in and out of form far too often for a 25-year-old who has been here years now.
 

TrustInJanuzaj

'Liverpool are a proper club'
Joined
Mar 26, 2015
Messages
10,959
I am probably alone here but I thought Martial played better last night and showed a few glimpses of his previous form. I would keep him in for West Brom, probably on the left with Cavani in the middle and Greenwood on the right. Rashford could do with a rest I think, his form is really patchy.
Most people cant stand Martial but I agree, his bottom level is way higher than Rashfords who is playing pretty poorly at the moment.
 

TrustInJanuzaj

'Liverpool are a proper club'
Joined
Mar 26, 2015
Messages
10,959
If we ever want to actually win the PL and challenge for the CL, we need to replace both. Martial should be sold and Rashford should be used as a backup for the starting attackers. We should begin with the obvious though, sell Martial and do everything possible to sign Haaland.
Or just not sell either until we absolutely have to and add quality. This isnt like Lukaku where he was an active detriment to the side. Martial still makes big contributions and is unbelievable on top form.
 

The holy trinity 68

The disparager
Joined
Apr 10, 2016
Messages
5,988
Location
Manchester
Or just not sell either until we absolutely have to and add quality. This isn't like Lukaku where he was an active detriment to the side. Martial still makes big contributions and is unbelievable on top form.
Why when we could sell Martial to help fund better replacements? At least Lukaku contributed with goals most of the time. Martial only makes big contributions when on top form which is very rare.

We are never going to get back to where we belong by hoping a 25 year old turns out good eventually. He has blown his chance in my opinion.
 

TrustInJanuzaj

'Liverpool are a proper club'
Joined
Mar 26, 2015
Messages
10,959
Why when we could sell Martial to help fund better replacements? At least Lukaku contributed with goals most of the time. Martial only makes big contributions when on top form which is very rare.

We are never going to get back to where we belong by hoping a 25 year old turns out good eventually. He has blown his chance in my opinion.
Well, that's nonsense considering Martial outscored and outperformed Lukakus previous season in a Utd shirt. Not to mention he's an actually good footballer compared to Lukaku who was an absolute donkey anywhere else on the pitch. He's not scored enough this season, but that's clearly not been the case for pretty much his whole time here so I think it's fair to back him in a poor 6 months. He looks to be regaining some form again at the moment so I reckon he will contribute in the run-in. If you are selling Martial then there's a good few others who will have to be shifted alongside him. For me there no point selling him until he's properly replaced and he's actually kicking up a fuss to go.
 

The holy trinity 68

The disparager
Joined
Apr 10, 2016
Messages
5,988
Location
Manchester
Well, that's nonsense considering Martial outscored and outperformed Lukakus previous season in a Utd shirt. Not to mention he's an actually good footballer compared to Lukaku who was an absolute donkey anywhere else on the pitch. He's not scored enough this season, but that's clearly not been the case for pretty much his whole time here so I think it's fair to back him in a poor 6 months. He looks to be regaining some form again at the moment so I reckon he will contribute in the run-in. If you are selling Martial then there's a good few others who will have to be shifted alongside him. For me there no point selling him until he's properly replaced and he's actually kicking up a fuss to go.
I mean when Lukaku was rubbish (most of the time) at least he would still add a goal when playing rubbish except that patch where he went 10 or so games without a goal.

Martial will only score when he is at his best, his bottom level is disgraceful.

There are too many fans that just want to sit and be hopeful that our players might kick on and reach the elite level, unfortunately, Martial won't reach that level. And yes I believe we do need to also shift a few others alongside him, so be it.
 

ForeverRed1

Full Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2013
Messages
5,702
Location
England UK!
sell martial, pogba will leave. Use that money to buy Jack grealish. Selling them would pretty much cover his fee. Give Cavani another year, use greenwood more upfront. Get diallo playing on the right. A attacking line up of Bruno, rashford, grealish, greenwood, Diallo and Cavani is pretty decent! Rashford isn’t going anywhere. No point even having that discussion.


Spend most time sorting our defence out next transfer window as it’s not even close to being title winner level and solely the reason we’re not top of the league. Maybe max aarons to give awb competition and a top centre back, one with pace and good reading of the game.. go complement maguire, as he isn’t going anywhere either.

a cdm would be good also, but there’s only really a point in that if they are world class. We have enough good ones that can do the job. A world class one would allow us to play just one player in that position which would free up other roles.
 

Tibs

Full Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2007
Messages
13,813
Location
UK
Am I the only one who thinks Rashford is rather shit at the moment?

Needs to get back on it, or get on the bench.
 

snk123

New Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2009
Messages
2,733
Martial fan boys really struggling to come to terms with the fact their man has scored same amount of goals as Scott Mctomminay this season.

Rashford gets goals and assists when playing poorly as he did again tonight. Played poor but found a moment.

Martial messed up every final pass he attempted and his shots were awful. Holding the ball up well isn't good enough.
Maybe you missed the part when Martial dribbled with the ball and passed it to Bruno which lead to the goal? Rashford would have run straight into the defender.
 

justsomebloke

Full Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2020
Messages
6,030
Am I the only one who thinks Rashford is rather shit at the moment?

Needs to get back on it, or get on the bench.
I don't think his shit at the moment, far from it. But it does look to me like he's not the best he can be, and that there are parts of his game that he needs to adjust. Such as using his teammates better and carrying the ball a bit less.
 

JohnnyKills

Full Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2016
Messages
7,100
Martial played fine last night. He did all the things we want him to do - make runs, close down defenders, take shots - all he lacked was the goal at the end. I know it's fashionable to criticise everything he does but some of the reaction to his performance last night has been ridiculous.

Rashford is just going through a tough run of form. To be honest, he looks knackered and could probably use a rest.

The real problem IMO is that none of our forwards seem to be progressing under Solksjaer. Martial and Rashford have barely improved since he took over; Greenwood is struggling (although it's to be expected of such a young player); James is exactly the same player we bought 18 months ago; Lingard has gone from playing in the World Cup semi-final to not even making the squad.

Ole should do himself a favour and find a coach who can bring the best out of these forwards. Fergie had Muelensteen - surely there are similarly gifted attack coaches out there?!
 

RUCK4444

New Member
Joined
Feb 3, 2015
Messages
9,553
Location
$¥$¥$¥$¥$
Martial fan boys really struggling to come to terms with the fact their man has scored same amount of goals as Scott Mctomminay this season.

Rashford gets goals and assists when playing poorly as he did again tonight. Played poor but found a moment.

Martial messed up every final pass he attempted and his shots were awful. Holding the ball up well isn't good enough.
Yeah this. That’s the difference between them and I’ve always said that.

Rashford will keep going and make something happen more often than not. You can’t say the same for Martial.
 

fellwin

Full Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2008
Messages
163
Location
Copenhagen
Maybe you missed the part when Martial dribbled with the ball and passed it to Bruno which lead to the goal? Rashford would have run straight into the defender.
So you praise Martial for running up the pitch with noone near him and then passing it to a wide open Bruno 3 yards away indicating that this was instrumental to the goal but does not give Rashford any for laying off the assist to McT? Seems fairly balanced in your opinion.
 

Wednesday at Stoke

Full Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2014
Messages
21,903
Location
Copenhagen
Supports
Time Travel
I thought both of them had decent games yesterday. There's only so much space a forward can find in a midweek game against a team that parks 7 players in their own box.
 

justsomebloke

Full Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2020
Messages
6,030
Martial played fine last night. He did all the things we want him to do - make runs, close down defenders, take shots - all he lacked was the goal at the end. I know it's fashionable to criticise everything he does but some of the reaction to his performance last night has been ridiculous.

Rashford is just going through a tough run of form. To be honest, he looks knackered and could probably use a rest.

The real problem IMO is that none of our forwards seem to be progressing under Solksjaer. Martial and Rashford have barely improved since he took over; Greenwood is struggling (although it's to be expected of such a young player); James is exactly the same player we bought 18 months ago; Lingard has gone from playing in the World Cup semi-final to not even making the squad.

Ole should do himself a favour and find a coach who can bring the best out of these forwards. Fergie had Muelensteen - surely there are similarly gifted attack coaches out there?!
I don't think that's true. When you look at what Rashford and Martial delivered under Mourinho and what they are doing now, there's clearly a very big improvement. They weren't even regulars under Mourinho, and Martial hardly got the chance to play as striker. Rashford's emergence as a key player and top scorer on this team happened under OGS, not before. And Martial were never close to delivering what he provided last season under Mourinho, or under LvG either, for that matter. As for Greenwood, when OGS took over he was not remotely close to playing in the PL at all. ALL of his development from raw prospect to what he is today has taken place under OGS, and he's travelled a huge distance in a very short time.

James, it's hard to tell yet (though he certainly has not shown much progress). Lingard I think had pretty much maxed out already.
 

Brightonian

Full Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2012
Messages
14,138
Location
Juanderlust
Rashford is doing more than any of our forwards bar Cavani at the moment, despite being in shaky form. He'll come back into his best at some point but even exhausted and somewhat lacking in confidence he's a key part of the side.

Martial is neither playing well, contributing much or trying very hard. Personally I've completely lost patience with him.
 

Smores

Full Member
Joined
May 18, 2011
Messages
25,723
Mourinho had it right they should be rotating on the left. It actually worked for some time with both upping their levels because of it. It would give us a great option on the bench too.

If you're Greenwood you must be so frustrated that your minutes as a striker are used up by Martial.