I fecking hate it how the introduction of Alexis was handled. It infuriates me to this day. Not only because of Martial, but because of Alexis too. One set of fans got on Martial's side and one on Alexis's. Both players got and are still receiving unneeded grief from the opposing side. We should not be choosing only one from two of the best wide attackers in the squad, both of them must play.
9
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 38
- Goals
- 12
- Assists
- 3
- Yellow cards
- 2
- Status
Class. Both Martial and the singing fans.
I agree - Jose should of handled it better
Haven't seen this being commented often, but one thing I notice about Martial is how he is not a selfish player who'll always go for the glory. More of a team player. His play revolves around looking at teammates and combine with exchanging of passes, other than depending on the situation will either choose pass or dribble. I notice his decision is often right, and at times opt for more cautious - the pass route retaining possession than dribble which have higher rate of losing ball. Somewhat unusual for me, since he's known as a dribbling winger, sort of. Not a show off either on pitch. It's rare for me seeing him do needless dribble and the times when he chose to dribble is usually successful. Not sure yet, but I think he reads his markers.
Plus..
So far, I think he's the only one among our attackers who can actually hold the ball the best in the final third, around the penalty box, left and centre areas. So basically, when he plays, our attacks is much more balance. Benched and we lack that player who can hold it to ease pressure in the final third, then do both cycling and retaining the ball by combining with others, may even beat one/two defenders while doing that. Our possession play is so much better in the final third, when one/both of Martial and Mata play. Mata in contrast rely only on quick pass, quick movement and good positioning to receive passes.
Plus..
So far, I think he's the only one among our attackers who can actually hold the ball the best in the final third, around the penalty box, left and centre areas. So basically, when he plays, our attacks is much more balance. Benched and we lack that player who can hold it to ease pressure in the final third, then do both cycling and retaining the ball by combining with others, may even beat one/two defenders while doing that. Our possession play is so much better in the final third, when one/both of Martial and Mata play. Mata in contrast rely only on quick pass, quick movement and good positioning to receive passes.
This type of criticism is extremely silly IMO. Take your or my workplace examples, not all the people who we work with are boisterous, some are quiet and some are different, that doesn't mean that the quiet ones hate their jobs and the others love it, it's just that they are different that is all.
He will be on the bench on Sunday which will show why his situation is so difficult. Mourinho is also in a difficult spot because Rashford being out the team put him under pressure from the press.
Martial has to be in unbelievable form to stay in the team. The unfairness imo, comes from the fact that the two players he's competing with, necessarily don't for different reasons.
I have been very frustrated with him recently and feel he sometimes doesn't help himself on the pitch by being slow to get into dangerous positions. His goal was refreshing because he busted his gut to give Pogba an option, usually he'd still be on the halfway line. When he came on against Watford, he lost the ball a few times, trying to dribble but Mourinho was still clapping and encouraging. We saw that in the second half against YB. He tried to dribble many times and many time it didn't come off. But it was good that he kept trying. Not enough players in the team offer that.
I still maintain signing Sanchez was the right decision. You simply don't let opportunities like that pass. What has caught me by surprise is Mourinho's refusal to even try Sanchez anywhere else.
I like Sanchez and cannot for the life of me understand why he's struggling but I still think k he needs to be in the team. You simply can't drop a player of that pedigree. I just wish we'd try Sanchez on the right cause imo, Martial offers more on the left.
Martial has to be in unbelievable form to stay in the team. The unfairness imo, comes from the fact that the two players he's competing with, necessarily don't for different reasons.
I have been very frustrated with him recently and feel he sometimes doesn't help himself on the pitch by being slow to get into dangerous positions. His goal was refreshing because he busted his gut to give Pogba an option, usually he'd still be on the halfway line. When he came on against Watford, he lost the ball a few times, trying to dribble but Mourinho was still clapping and encouraging. We saw that in the second half against YB. He tried to dribble many times and many time it didn't come off. But it was good that he kept trying. Not enough players in the team offer that.
I still maintain signing Sanchez was the right decision. You simply don't let opportunities like that pass. What has caught me by surprise is Mourinho's refusal to even try Sanchez anywhere else.
I like Sanchez and cannot for the life of me understand why he's struggling but I still think k he needs to be in the team. You simply can't drop a player of that pedigree. I just wish we'd try Sanchez on the right cause imo, Martial offers more on the left.
Well put
Excellent post.
This is exactly the reason why it has been said over and over again that Martial suits our system much much better than Sanchez. We don't exactly have an overloading attacking style and we really rely heavily on our forward three players not losing the ball. Sanchez can not hold onto a ball even if there was a gun pointed to his head at this moment - which is ridiculous when you think that is step 1 for a professional football player.
He deserves to start next match on the left. I also think Pogba benefits from him playing whilst Sanchez takes up those positions.
Also Sanchez is better up top or through the middle than from the left.
Also Sanchez is better up top or through the middle than from the left.
Right up there with the geniuses throwing a tantrum at the Captain Marvel trailer because Brie Larson is not smiling enough. What I would care about is how are his teammates feeling about him, also the way he celebrated his goal and went to see the fans, he's shown he's very much a part of the club. The whole smile more has always been such a dumb criticism, I remember Thierry Henry going through that as well.
We always look better with Martial instead of Sanchez.
In fact I would argue that our ideal line up would have Martial on the left, Rashford behind the striker and Lingard on the right.
The only way to fit Sanchez in the team would be instead of Lingard.
In fact I would argue that our ideal line up would have Martial on the left, Rashford behind the striker and Lingard on the right.
The only way to fit Sanchez in the team would be instead of Lingard.
it isn't the only way. I actually think Sanchez would work better behind the striker.
Perhaps. Actually you're right, Im very biased towards Rashford though but I do also think he's a better player than Sanchez and would shine playing behind the striker, going through the middle.
You are absolutely right though, Sanchez would also be better used behind the striker.
Well I guess the good thing about Sanchez is that you can really slot him anywhere but personally I'd use him as a sub.
Rashford needs to play through the middle, as a winger he is too restricted IMO...and Martial is at his best when he's at the left even though ge drifts inside, he's that type of a player.
Man Utd 1:1 Wolves
We were on the backfoot when he came on but once he got into the game he looked lively and creative, almost got in a couple of time, it wasn't anything amazing but certainly more promising than what Sanchez and Lingard had served up.
I don't think he's sulking or shirking on the pitch. It seems he just doesn't enjoy the physical side of the game. Give him a technical, skilful battle against a team like Arsenal or a European side and he's great. Throw him into a physical contest full of 50.50s and he doesn't seem to relish it. Get the feeling he's quite fragile mentally.
Fergie would know exactly how to get the best out of Martial. He'd be boosting his ego the whole time and talking him up. Can't imagine Mourinho does that.
Fergie would know exactly how to get the best out of Martial. He'd be boosting his ego the whole time and talking him up. Can't imagine Mourinho does that.
Needs a run of games. Better than the fraud ahead of him at the moment.
He should have started today - he should of been allowed to build on that performance from midweek
We should never have bought Sanchez to go in front of him when he was one of our few performing players at the start of last season anyway. Not to say he was amazing, but he was streets ahead of anything that Sanchez has shown since he took over. Put Sanchez back on the bench, or somewhere more central, and try to get the best out of Martial again and rotate Martial and Rashford on the left wing like we were having reasonable success with in the first half of last season. 2018 has pretty much been a waste of time for this whole club, so lets hope we can get back on track.
Didn't get enough time today anyway. Well, he should have started actually, but yeah, even still. At least we get some individual quality on the ball in the attack when he plays. Without him, Sanchez is useless, Lukaku can't do anything on his own, and Lingard is useless on the wing.
Didn't get enough time today anyway. Well, he should have started actually, but yeah, even still. At least we get some individual quality on the ball in the attack when he plays. Without him, Sanchez is useless, Lukaku can't do anything on his own, and Lingard is useless on the wing.
Ive given him probably too much stick at times, but his performance was positive against Young Boys.
If he plays well midweek he should start in the league, I think Mourinho got that wrong today, especially since Lingard hasn't produced for us this season, nor Sanchez regrettably.
I think if we were to get a tune out of martial/Rashford, and fetched in a good right sided attacker in January we'd be a truly strong side, but can we afford to drop Alexis now given the investment?
Iregardless, Martial needs to start the next 3-4 matches in my opinion.
If he plays well midweek he should start in the league, I think Mourinho got that wrong today, especially since Lingard hasn't produced for us this season, nor Sanchez regrettably.
I think if we were to get a tune out of martial/Rashford, and fetched in a good right sided attacker in January we'd be a truly strong side, but can we afford to drop Alexis now given the investment?
Iregardless, Martial needs to start the next 3-4 matches in my opinion.
Again a sign of the demise of this once great football club. This lad wouldn't get in the wolves team.....
Don't agree with any of this, i don't think that a good (which is generous) performance against Young Boys warrants a start in the league, its a completely different game.
He's had ample chances and hasn't performed. He's weak mentally, you can see it the way he always comes short for the ball and never gambles or goes at his man, he doesn't work hard or put his neck on the line for the team, he doesn't work for his team-mates or the shirt. He's a shirker.
Alexis is looking a poor signing but irrespective of that, i'd rather have someone who actually works hard but lacks quality, rather than someone who isn't interested and thinks he's better than he is.
Offer him to the Wolves manager and see.
God knows what he is talking about
Starting Sanchez was the right thing to do after the mid week game, especially as Martial wasn't great, but after today, Sanchez shouldn't play again as long as Martial is fit.
He's going to get his chance, Sanchez's been riding on his reputation for so long and it's now wearing out. He never should have taken Martial's spot to begin with, and I can see Tony getting his starting job back, again. Once he gets into form, I can see it having a positive effect on Lukaku as well.
Tbh i wanted Martial on the left and Sanchez on the right.
I bet he would offer an awful lot more than Sanchez has, if he were to be given since January to find his form, ie. 6 months of games. Start him and keep starting him, he's just flat out better than his competition.
Ffs it’s clear as day how much he is needed on that left side. Just play him - swallow the pride with Sanchez and chalk it down as another few millions down the toilet but ffs let us play football with someone that can actually trap a ball these days
I think that's what we all thought was going to happen back in January last year. How different things could have been...
His chance will come. Sanchez is playing himself out of team slowly. It's vital when he plays he has another good performance even though I would give him a proper run of games unchallenged to really get upto speed.
I think if he has a good performance against Derby he might start against West Ham.
I've not been happy with the way Martial has conducted himself since Sanchez came in but if Sanchez isn't benched from now on, it's a grave injustice.
Also, slowly? He's playing himself out of the team like a Japanese bullet train.
If he puts in another good performance against Derby, he deserves a run of the team ahead of Sanchez.
Anyone who thinks this lad is good enough for Manchester United, needs a serious look in the mirror.
Kanchelskis, Sharpe, Giggs, Beckham, these players are the level we need. Not this guy.
"Oh Mourinho has ruined him. Oh he's not getting a chance"
Granted, Sanchez being bought in hindsight was fecking stupid but, this guy has done nothing since to prove his worth. When you're dropped, when things are going against you, you dig in and prove otherwise! Not just in football but, in life. You always aim to be as you can be, to give yourself the appreciation you deserve... He deserved feck all today
I'd still give Sharpey a game over him.
Loads of green smileys I'll receive I'm sure but, all good
Kanchelskis, Sharpe, Giggs, Beckham, these players are the level we need. Not this guy.
"Oh Mourinho has ruined him. Oh he's not getting a chance"
Granted, Sanchez being bought in hindsight was fecking stupid but, this guy has done nothing since to prove his worth. When you're dropped, when things are going against you, you dig in and prove otherwise! Not just in football but, in life. You always aim to be as you can be, to give yourself the appreciation you deserve... He deserved feck all today
I'd still give Sharpey a game over him.
Loads of green smileys I'll receive I'm sure but, all good
No I'm fine thanks - you think Martial has an equal chance vs Sanchez
there's your smiley! Jose replaced Blind with Lindelöf because he wasn't his player & was trying to replace Martial with Perisic - soon as Sanchez opened - he dropped martial and picked him whilst the latter has proven no form in years now surely? Martial is not an issue - we are not losing games nor winning games at the moment because he isn't utilised. Why isn't he being utilised? Is it because Jose had a little feeling he might provide the crosses that Lukaku needs with his dire mind readible tactics?
We have bigger - problems to sort out rather than cry about a player that should not be allowed to 'diagnosed' under his Jose tenure because Jose can only get the best of a very few category of players - due to his very strict & non lenient tactics.
Martial scored in his last game didn't he - so far so good. Maybe Martial the striker who is playing at LW supplying for a Target man - you expect more; but some of us expect more from the manager & their handling of players to get the best out of them. If then that fails - then so be it.
No player should be sold under only Jose's view - because of how close minded he is. Players like Martial & Rashford made to leave under an attacking open minded manager then I would not blink an eye.
Glad I made your wish come true
Green smiley galore!
2 issues here.
1, He's more of goal scorer, different type of player as Giggs, Beckham, Kanchelskis who is providing service to strikers. Martial admit himself that he see himself as a striker.
2, He can't do anything if he doesn't get enough chances & playing time. The manager doesn't trust him from the start, if Mourinho trusted him, we would have never sign Lukaku or Sanchez, Martial could become our main striker.
When Lukaku did nothing in the game, people are excusing the service isn't good enough. When Martial did nothing in the game, people called him not good enough.
When Lukaku missed a lot of chances, Jose keeps playing him until he scored goals. When Martial missed chances in a game, Jose dropped him right away.
If Martial is getting the same amount of love & playing time as Lukaku from the manager, Martial would have at least scored the same amount of goals as Lukaku's last season.
Where did I say he has an equal chance vs Sanchez? I said in hindsight it was a stupid move buying Sanchez but, I can understand you missed that point. It's hard to concentrate when FIFA 19 is coming out and you're having a wank...No I'm fine thanks - you think Martial has an equal chance vs Sanchez
Martial is not an issue - we are not losing games nor winning games at the moment because he isn't utilised. Why isn't he being utilised? Is it because Jose had a little feeling he might provide the crosses that Lukaku needs with his dire mind readible tactics?
We have bigger - problems to sort out rather than cry about a player that should not be allowed to 'diagnosed' under his Jose tenure because Jose can only get the best of a very few category of players - due to his very strict & non lenient tactics.
Martial scored in his last game didn't he - so far so good. Maybe Martial the striker who is playing at LW supplying for a Target man - you expect more; but some of us expect more from the manager & their handling of players to get the best out of them. If then that fails - then so be it.
No player should be sold under only Jose's view - because of how close minded he is. Players like Martial & Rashford made to leave under an attacking open minded manager then I would not blink an eye.
Glad I made your wish come true
Green smiley galore!
You're right though, I do expect more. I grew up with Kanchelskis, Giggs and Sharpe. He's not in their class IMO. Apologies for having standards
Sanchez should be played up front with Rashford and Martial. The issue with Rashford up front is also that he is not a player who leads the line. But if these front three can interchange then we should be better than Lukaku playing up front.
I do agree that he's weak mentally, but I think it's more of a confidence thing rather than not being interested. Obviously he'll never be a true work-horse, but his work-rate does seem better (more effective might be a better way of putting it) when he's given a run of games and feels like he's truly part of the first team. Yes that's a problem in it's own right but not as bad as simply not caring.
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